U.S. patent application number 09/854108 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for hypoxic fire prevention and fire suppression systems with breathable fire extinguishing compositions for human occupied environments.
Invention is credited to Kotliar, Igor K..
Application Number | 20020023762 09/854108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27415606 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020023762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kotliar, Igor K. |
February 28, 2002 |
Hypoxic fire prevention and fire suppression systems with
breathable fire extinguishing compositions for human occupied
environments
Abstract
Fire prevention and suppression systems and breathable
fire-extinguishing compositions are provided for rooms, houses and
buildings, transportation tunnels and vehicles, underground and
underwater facilities, marine vessels, submarines, passenger and
military aircraft, space stations and vehicles, military
installations and vehicles, and all other human occupied objects
and facilities. The system provides a breathable hypoxic
fire-preventative atmosphere at standard atmospheric or local
ambient pressure. The system employs an oxygen-extraction apparatus
supplying oxygen-depleted air inside a human-occupied area or
storing it in a high-pressure container for use in case of fire. A
breathable fire-extinguishing composition is introduced for
constant fire-preventive environments, being mostly a mixture of
nitrogen and oxygen and having oxygen content ranging from 12% to
17%. A fire-suppression system is provided employing a
fire-extinguishing composition with oxygen concentration under 16%,
so when released it creates a breathable fire-suppressive
atmosphere having oxygen concentration of approximately 16% (or
lower if needed) with possible addition of carbon dioxide. A
technology for automatically maintaining a breathable
fire-preventive composition on board a human-occupied hermetic
object is provided by introducing inert ballast that automatically
maintains oxygen content under the Hypoxic Threshold. An aircraft
fire prevention and suppression systems are provided utilizing
hypoxic fire extinguishing compositions for producing breathable
atmosphere onboard having fire-retarding properties.
Inventors: |
Kotliar, Igor K.; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IGOR K. KOTLIAR
P.O. Box 2021
New York
NY
10159
US
|
Family ID: |
27415606 |
Appl. No.: |
09/854108 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09854108 |
May 11, 2001 |
|
|
|
09551026 |
Apr 17, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
169/54 ; 169/16;
62/640 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 53/02 20130101;
A62C 99/0018 20130101; A62B 7/14 20130101; A62C 3/0221 20130101;
B01D 2257/104 20130101; B01D 2257/102 20130101; A62C 3/07 20130101;
B01D 53/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
169/54 ; 169/16;
62/640 |
International
Class: |
A62C 035/58; A62C
035/00; F25J 003/00 |
Claims
1. A fire-extinguishing system utilizing breathable
fire-extinguishing compositions in enclosed human-occupied spaces,
said system comprising: a device for releasing a gas mixture
containing oxygen and nitrogen; said gas mixture containing less
than 18% of oxygen for permanent use as a fire-preventive
atmosphere; said gas mixture containing less than 16.8% of oxygen
for episodic use as a fire suppression agent; said device having
means for communicating with an enclosed human-occupied space and
admitting said gas mixture therein in order to create a breathable
hypoxic atmosphere that does not support combustion or ignition,
but is suitable for human respiration.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said gas mixture
completely or partly replaces air in human-occupied space creating
a steady breathable fire-preventive atmosphere having oxygen
content above 12% and nitrogen content below 88%, wherein nitrogen
can be replaced entirely or in part by other inert gas or gas
mixture; said breathable atmosphere containing water vapors, carbon
dioxide and other atmospheric gases in quantities acceptable for
breathing; said device supplying said gas mixture constantly in
amounts sufficient for ventilation of said human-occupied space in
order to maintain breathing quality of the atmosphere; said device
being employed for fire prevention applications in human-occupied
enclosed spaces, including but not limited to: an aircraft, space
station or space vehicle, marine vessels, underwater or underground
facilities and vehicles, transportation tunnels and other isolated
or enclosed human-occupied objects for living, working,
transportation, sport, entertainment and further human
activities.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said fire suppression
agent having nitrogen content below 99.9%; the exact content and
volume are calculated in such a way that when the fire agent is
released, it mixes with internal atmosphere in said enclosed
human-occupied space providing breathable fire-suppressive
atmosphere with an oxygen content in a range from 10% to 16% or
lower, if needed; said device being employed for fire suppression
applications in human-occupied enclosed spaces, including but not
limited to: an aircraft, space station or space vehicle, marine
vessels, underwater or underground facilities and vehicles,
transportation tunnels and other isolated or enclosed
human-occupied objects for living, working, transportation, sport,
entertainment and further human activities.
4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said fire suppression
agent containing sufficient amount of carbon dioxide for
counterbalancing hypoxia in human body, so when the fire
suppression agent is released, it will provide a breathable
fire-suppressive atmosphere with oxygen content in a range from 10%
to 16% and carbon dioxide content achieving up to 5%-10%.
5. A fire-extinguishing system for providing breathable
fire-preventive atmosphere in enclosed human-occupied spaces, said
system comprising: a gas release apparatus for providing a
breathable fire-extinguishing composition with oxygen content below
18%, communicating with an enclosing structure having an internal
environment (11, 91, 101, 110, 130, 140, 171, 191, 221, 241, 251,
272) therein and an entry (12, 131, 172, 192); said apparatus
constantly ventilating said enclosing structure with said
composition, newly generated by an oxygen-extraction device (20,
50, 92, 102, 111, 132, 143, 173, 193, 262) or regenerated by a
life-support system (223, 232, 242, 252);
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said oxygen-extraction
device (20, 50, 92, 102, 111, 132, 143, 157, 173, 193, 262) having
an inlet (21, 51, 93, taking in an intake gas mixture and first
(22, 53) and second (23, 52, 94, 105, 113, 145, 174, 194, 271)
outlets, said first outlet transmitting a first gas mixture having
a higher oxygen content than the intake gas mixture and said second
outlet transmitting a second gas mixture having a lower oxygen
content than the intake gas mixture; said second outlet
communicating with said internal environment and transmitting said
second mixture into said internal environment so that said second
mixture mixes with the atmosphere in said internal environment;
said first outlet transmitting said first mixture to a location
where it does not mix with said atmosphere in said internal
environment; said internal environment selectively communicating
with the outside atmosphere and emitting excessive internal gas
mixture into the outside atmosphere; said intake gas mixture being
ambient air taken in from the external atmosphere outside said
internal environment.
7. The system according to claim 6 and said oxygen-extraction
device employing molecular-sieve adsorption technology (20) in
order to extract part of oxygen from said intake gas mixture.
8. The system according to claim 6 and said oxygen-extraction
device employing oxygen-enrichment membrane (50), cryogenic or
other air separation technology in order to extract part of oxygen
from said intake gas mixture.
9. The system according to claim 6 and said second outlet
additionally communicating with a high-pressure storage container
(97, 104, 112, 153, 265) for providing sufficient supply of said
second gas mixture that can be released into said internal
environment in order to suppress possible fire when said internal
environment does not initially contain said second gas mixture.
10. The system according to claim 5, wherein said life-support
system having an air-regeneration module that removes excessive
moisture, carbon dioxide, dust and other gaseous products of human
activity from said breathable fire-extinguishing composition; said
regeneration module constantly receiving said breathable
fire-preventive atmosphere from said internal environment,
replacing excessive carbon dioxide with oxygen and providing said
breathable fire-extinguishing composition in amounts necessary to
maintain breathing quality of said atmosphere; said breathable
atmosphere and composition containing a permanent ballast of
nitrogen or other inert gas in a range from 83% to 88% being
introduced therein initially in necessary amount that can not be
affected by said regeneration module; said ballast automatically
preventing oxygen content from rising above 17%.
11. A fire extinguishing system for providing a breathable
fire-suppressive atmosphere in enclosed human-occupied areas, said
system comprising: a gas storage container (97, 104, 108, 112, 122,
153, 202, 214, 265, 284, 302) holding a hypoxic fire suppression
agent containing oxygen in a range below 16% and nitrogen; said
agent may contain carbon dioxide and other atmospheric gases; said
container installed in or communicating with an enclosing structure
having internal environment (91, 101, 110, 140, 151, 201, 211, 275,
281, 301) therein containing internal atmosphere ambient for its
location and purpose, and an entry communicating with said internal
environment; the amount of said agent detained in or released from
said container being calculated so that when the agent is released
into said enclosed space, it provides a breathable fire-suppressive
atmosphere having an oxygen concentration in a range from 10% to
16% and an optional content of carbon dioxide under 10%.
12. The system according to claim 11 and said gas container
containing said agent at a high barometric pressure, preferably
above 10 bar, and releasing it when a signal from a fire and smoke
detecting equipment (98, 125, 159, 285, 305) is received; said
container having a release valve (107, 123, 274, 286, 311) actuated
by an initiator activated by said signal; said container having gas
release nozzles (95, 106, 114, 146, 154, 175, 195, 204, 213, 268,
306) connected directly or through optional gas distribution piping
(94, 105, 109, 113, 145, 152, 174, 194, 203, 212, 267, 288, 308);
said nozzles having an optional noise-reducing device in order to
reduce a level of the sound from the agent release.
13. The system according to claim 11 and said container (97, 104,
112, 153, 265) being installed in combination with an
oxygen-extraction device (92, 102, 111, 157, 262) and receiving
said gas agent from it, the agent being constantly maintained under
selected barometric pressure by said device and/or intermediate
high-pressure compressor (103, 158, 266).
14. The system according to claim 11 and said container being an
autonomous freestanding container (121, 202, 214) having an
individual fire and/or smoke detection system that initiates
release of said gas agent from said container in case of fire.
15. The system according to claim 1 said enclosing structure with
said internal environment therein being an area selected from the
group consisting of, but not limited to: rooms and enclosures for
data processing and process control equipment, telecommunication
switches and Internet servers; banks and financial institutions,
museums, archives, libraries and art collections; dwellings and
office buildings; military and marine facilities; aircraft, space
vehicles and space stations, marine and cargo vessels; industrial
processing and storage facilities operating with inflammable and
explosive materials and compositions and other industrial and
non-industrial facilities and other objects that require fire
safety in human-occupied environments.
16. An automatic fire extinguishing system for providing breathable
fire-suppressive atmosphere for transportation and communication
tunnels, industrial and non-industrial buildings and structures,
said system comprising: an oxygen-extraction device (20, 50, 111,
157) having an intake and first and second outlets, said device
taking in ambient air through said intake and emitting a
reduced-oxygen gas mixture, having a lower concentration of oxygen
than ambient air, through said first outlet and enriched-oxygen gas
mixture, having a greater concentration of oxygen than ambient air,
through said second outlet; said device communicating with an
interior space (110, 151) restricted by a wall structure having an
entry and exit, and multiple isolating partitions (115, 155)
defining selected segments (A, B, C, D) of the interior space; said
isolating partitions being selectively closable in case of fire so
that when closed, the segments are substantially isolated from each
other and the outside environment; a gas storage container (112,
153) having receiving conduit and distribution conduit (113, 152)
and containing said reduced-oxygen gas mixture under higher than
ambient barometric pressure, said receiving conduit being
operatively associated with said first outlet and receiving said
reduced-oxygen gas mixture after intermediate compression
therefrom; said distribution conduit communicating with said
interior space so that the reduced-oxygen gas mixture is emitted in
case of fire from said container into one or multiple segments
inside said interior space; said second outlet communicating with
the outside atmosphere and releasing said enriched oxygen mixture
into the outside environment; said reduced oxygen gas mixture
having oxygen concentration below 16%; said reduced oxygen gas
mixture, being released inside selected segments of said interior
space in case of fire and providing a breathable fire-suppressive
composition with oxygen content ranging from 12% to 16%; said
composition emitting from said interior space in amounts necessary
to equalize atmospheric pressure inside said interior space with
the outside atmospheric pressure.
17. The system according to claim 16 and said multiple isolating
partitions being inflatable drop curtains normally kept deflated
and folded in curtain holders (116, 156) installed under ceiling
throughout the interior space; said drop curtains being made of a
clear and soft synthetic material in form of inflatable flaps so
when inflated, they provide a sufficient obstruction for the draft
or any substantial air movements into selected segments; said
curtains being inflated by a gas from a pyrotechnical device or
container initiated by a signal from the fire-detecting
equipment.
18. The system according to claim 16 and said interior space being
selected from the group comprising of rooms, houses and buildings,
transportation tunnels and vehicles, underground and underwater
facilities, marine vessels, aircraft, military installations and
vehicles, nuclear power plants, and other industrial and
non-industrial human occupied objects.
19. An automatic fire extinguishing system for providing a constant
breathable fire-preventive hypoxic atmosphere for transportation
and communication tunnels, industrial and non-industrial buildings
and structures, said system comprising: a gas processing device
(20, 50, 92, 102, 132, 143, 173, 193, 262) having an intake and
first and second outlets, said device taking in ambient air through
said intake and emitting a reduced-oxygen gas mixture, having a
lower concentration of oxygen than ambient air, through said first
outlet and enriched-oxygen gas mixture, having a greater
concentration of oxygen than ambient air, through said second
outlet; said gas processing device communicating with an enclosed
space (91, 101, 130, 171, 191, 272) comprising an entry, exit and a
wall structure defining said enclosed space; said entry and exit
having doors (131, 148, 172, 192) being selectively closable so
that when closed, the enclosed space is substantially isolated from
the outside environment; said first outlet communicating with a gas
distribution piping (94, 105, 145, 174, 194, 263, 271) having
multiple discharge nozzles (95, 106, 146, 175, 195, 264) inside the
enclosed space so that reduced oxygen gas mixture is transmitted
into said enclosed space; said reduced oxygen gas mixture having
oxygen content below 17% and above 12%; said gas processing device
comprising an air pump (24), receiving ambient air through the
intake (21, 51) from the outside atmosphere, and an
oxygen-extraction module (20, 50) receiving compressed air from the
pump, said oxygen-extraction module having a reduced oxygen mixture
conduit (23, 52) and an enriched oxygen mixture conduit (22, 53);
said first outlet being operatively associated with said reduced
oxygen mixture conduit and receiving said reduced oxygen gas
mixture therefrom, said second outlet being operatively associated
with said enriched oxygen mixture conduit and receiving said
enriched oxygen gas mixture therefrom and releasing said mixture
into the outside environment; said reduced oxygen gas mixture
emitting from said enclosed space in amounts necessary to equalize
atmospheric pressure inside said space with the outside atmospheric
pressure.
20. The system according to claim 19 and said enclosed space being
selected from the group comprising of computer rooms, houses and
buildings, transportation and communication tunnels, nuclear power
plants, underground and underwater facilities, marine vessels, and
other non-hermetic human occupied objects; said oxygen extraction
module may employ gas adsorption, membrane separation or cryogenic
separation technologies.
21. A fire extinguishing apparatus for providing a breathable
fire-extinguishing composition for human occupied environments,
said apparatus comprising: a compressor (24) and an air separation
device (20, 50) having an intake (21, 51) and first (23, 52) and
second outlets (22, 53), said device taking in compressed air
provided by said compressor through said intake and emitting a
reduced-oxygen gas mixture having a lower concentration of oxygen
than said gas mixture through said first outlet and enriched-oxygen
gas mixture having a greater concentration of oxygen than said gas
mixture through said second outlet; said intake being connected to
a distribution valve (27, 47) providing distribution of compressed
air to multiple inlets (28, 48) communicating each with an
individual separation container (29) filled with a molecular sieve
material that under pressure adsorbs nitrogen and water vapors,
allowing enriched-oxygen gas mixture to pass through into a gas
collecting tank (31) communicating with said second outlet and
being operatively associated with all said separation containers
and receiving said enriched-oxygen gas mixture therefrom; each said
separation container being pressurized and depressurized in cycling
manner and releasing during each depressurization cycle said
reduced-oxygen gas mixture being delivered into said first
outlet.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21 and said second outlet
having release valve (32) allowing to keep said enriched-oxygen gas
mixture being collected in said gas collecting tank (31) under
increased atmospheric pressure, so when any of said separation
containers depressurizes, a portion of said enriched-oxygen gas
mixture is released from said tank back into said container purging
said molecular sieve material from remaining nitrogen and water;
said distribution valve (27, 47) being air distribution device
selected from the group consisting of electrical, mechanical, air
piloted and solenoid valves, both linear and rotary configuration,
with actuators controlled by pressure, mechanical spring, motor and
timer; said distribution valve being mounted on a manifold (28, 48)
that is selectively communicating with said multiple separation
containers (29) and said first outlet, and selectively allowing
periodic access of pressurized air inside said containers and exit
of said reduced-oxygen gas mixture therefrom.
23. A fire-extinguishing system for a human-occupied hermetic
object, said system, designed for automatically maintaining a
breathable fire-preventive composition onboard, comprising: an
initial introduction of said composition containing oxygen and
nitrogen into said hermetic object (221, 241, 251), said
introduction provided by an oxygen-extraction apparatus (222)
directly or via an intermediate gas storage container, so when said
composition completely replaces air inside said object and an
internal atmosphere is created, the object being sealed and further
air regeneration being provided by an on-board life-support system
(223, 232, 242, 252); said composition and internal atmosphere
containing an inert gaseous ballast, preventing oxygen content from
rising above 16.8%; said ballast being inert gas, preferably
nitrogen, that is constantly present in said internal atmosphere in
a concentration of minimum 83.2%; said composition and internal
atmosphere having oxygen concentration in a range below 16.8% and
preferably above 14%; said life-support system maintaining constant
barometric pressure on board and regenerating said internal
atmosphere by removing excessive carbon dioxide and providing
desired level of oxygen and humidity without affecting the inert
ballast content in any way.
24. The system according to claim 23 and said hermetic object being
selected from a group comprising: an aircraft, space station or
space vehicle, submarine, military vehicles and facilities,
underwater or underground facilities, and other isolated
human-occupied objects for living, working or transport.
25. An automatic fire-extinguishing system for providing a
breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere on board of an aircraft,
said system comprising: a storage and release system for a hypoxic
fire suppression agent; said storage and release system having a
storage container (214, 284, 302) that contains said fire
suppression agent under pressure and communicates with the aircraft
interior or pressure cabin (211, 281, 301) through a gas
distribution piping (212, 288, 308) restricted by discharge valves
(286, 311) and gas release nozzles (213, 286, 306); said fire
suppression agent being a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon
dioxide having an oxygen concentration below 16% and carbon dioxide
content above 5%; said mixture may contain other atmospheric gases;
said fire-suppression agent, being released inside said interior in
case of fire, providing said breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere
with oxygen content ranging from 12% to 16% and carbon dioxide
content of approximately 4% to 5%, whereby an aircraft fresh air
supply system is automatically shut down; an onboard fire and smoke
detection system (285, 305) that initiates the system by opening
said discharge valve(s) and shutting down the aircraft's
ventilation system.
26. The system according to claim 25 wherein said storage and
release system having a flexible storage container (284) inflated
with said fire agent up to desired pressure and located in an
airtight rigid container (282) that is communicating with the
aircraft interior through an air pumping means (287); a signal from
the onboard fire detection system (285) opens the discharge
valve(s) (286), releasing the fire suppression agent from the
storage container into the aircraft interior while the air pumping
means start pumping air contaminated with smoke from the aircraft
interior into said rigid container, creating this way a positive
pressure outside the storage container and forcing the entire
amount of the fire agent out of it; the excessive amount of said
fire-suppressive atmosphere being released, if needed, into outside
atmosphere through a pressure relief valve (290).
27. The system according to claim 25 wherein said storage and
release system having a flexible storage container (302) inflated
with said fire agent up to desired pressure and located in a
non-airtight rigid container (304) having additional flexible
container (303) inside that is deflated and communicates with the
aircraft interior (301) through said air pumping means (307); when
smoke or fire being detected, the discharge valve(s) (311) open
releasing the fire suppression agent from the storage container
(302) into the aircraft interior and the air pumping means (307)
start pumping contaminated air from the aircraft interior into said
additional deflated container (303) that while being inflated,
applies positive pressure on the storage container (302) and
forcing the entire amount of the fire agent out of it; the
excessive amount of said fire-suppressive atmosphere being
released, if needed, into outside atmosphere through pressure
relief valve (310).
28. The system according to claim 25 wherein said storage and
release system having a high-pressure storage container (214)
filled with said fire agent and communicating with the aircraft
interior (211) through the gas distribution piping (212) restricted
by the discharge valve(s) that can be opened by an initiator
actuated by a signal from the fire and smoke detection system; when
smoke or fire being detected, the initiator opens the discharge
valve(s) releasing the fire suppression agent into the aircraft
interior; the excessive amount of said fire-suppressive atmosphere
being released into outside atmosphere by pressure relief valve
(215).
29. An automatic fire-extinguishing system for providing a
breathable fire-preventive atmosphere on board of an aircraft or
other human occupied vehicle, said system comprising an air
separation device supplying vehicle's engine(s) with oxygen
extracted during flight or motion from the atmospheric air; said
device preferably using cryogenic technology for liquefying air and
extracting part of oxygen in a centrifuge; the remaining after
separation nitrogen-enriched fraction having oxygen content of
approximately 16% is provided for ventilation of the vehicle's
interior, previously being warmed up to a comfortable temperature
in a cooling system of the engine; said nitrogen-enriched fraction
being constantly supplied into a vehicle's interior, creating there
a breathable fire retarding atmosphere that excludes a possibility
of an ignition and combustion.
30. The system according to claim 29 wherein the same principle
being applied to an industrial and non-industrial building or
facility that can use similar cryogenic oxygen-extraction system
for both, producing artificial fire retarding atmosphere and
generating oxygen for its own energy system; other
oxygen-extraction systems having pressure or temperature-swing
absorbers, membrane separators, electric current or electric field
separators and various oxygen-extractors can be employed for
extracting oxygen from the atmospheric air and utilizing it by a
building's power plant, fuel cells, etc., allowing a cleaner
combustion and higher efficiency of the power generating systems,
and for producing breathable fire-extinguishing compositions.
31. The system according to claim 5 wherein said breathable
fire-preventive atmosphere being recycled by a split
air-conditioning system (14) in order to control its temperature
and humidity inside said human-occupied space.
32. The system according to claim 1 wherein said device being an
apparatus (132) for extinguishing or preventing fires in a
surface-mounted receptacle or in a storage receptacle tank (130)
which may contain a supply of inflammable fluid; said apparatus
being movable and structurally independent of the receptacle; said
apparatus constantly supplying a breathable fire-extinguishing
composition inside said receptacle allowing user to perform welding
and other repair work inside.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No.
09/551026 "Hypoxic Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Systems for
computer rooms and other human occupied facilities", filed Apr. 17,
2000, U.S. Ser. No. 09/566506 "Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression
Systems for computer cabinets and fire-hazardous industrial
containers", filed May 8, 2000 and of U.S. Ser. No. 09/750801 filed
Dec. 28, 2000 "Hypoxic Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Systems
and Breathable Fire Extinguishing Compositions for Human Occupied
Environments".
[0002] This invention is related in part to preceding U.S. Pat. No.
5,799,652 issued Sep. 1, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention introduces the method, equipment, and
composition of fire prevention and suppression systems that utilize
a low-oxygen (hypoxic) environment to:
[0004] Instantly extinguish an ongoing fire
[0005] Prevent a fire from getting started.
[0006] With its mode of action based on the controlled release of
breathable fire-suppressive gases, this human-friendly system is
completely non-toxic, fully automated, and entirely
self-sustaining. Consequently, it is ideally suited to provide
complete fire protection to houses, industrial complexes,
transportation tunnels, vehicles, archives, computer rooms and
other enclosed environments.
[0007] With the majority of fires (both industrial, and
non-industrial) occurring at locations with a substantial amount of
electronic equipment, this Fire Prevention and Suppression System
(FirePASS.TM.) has the added benefit of requiring absolutely no
water, foam or other damaging agent. It can therefore be fully
deployed without causing harm to the complex electrical equipment
(and its stored data) that is destroyed by traditional fire
suppression systems.
[0008] While this is extremely important to technology-intensive
businesses such as banks, insurance companies, communication
companies, manufacturers, medical providers, and military
installations; it takes on even greater significance when one
considers the direct relationship between the presence of
electronic equipment and the increased risk of fire.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0009] Current fire suppression systems employ either water,
chemicals agents, gaseous agents (such as Halon 1301, carbon
dioxide, and heptafluoropropane) or a combination thereof Virtually
all of them are ozone depleting, toxic and environmentally
unfriendly. Moreover, these systems can only be deployed
post-combustion. Even the recent advent of the Fire Master 200 (FM
200) suppression system (available from Kidde-Fenwal Inc. in the
U.S.A.) is still chemically dependant and only retards the
progression of fire by several minutes. Once this fire-retarding
gas is exhausted, a sprinkler system ensues that results in the
permanent destruction of electronic equipment and other
valuables.
[0010] Exposure to FM-200 and other fire-suppression agents is of
less concern than exposure to the products of their decomposition,
which for the most part are highly toxic and life threatening.
Consequently, there is no fire suppression/extinguishing
composition currently available that is both safe and
effective.
[0011] In terms of train, ship, or airplane fires, the inability to
quickly evacuate passengers creates an especially hazardous
situation. The majority of the passengers who died in France's Mont
Blanc tunnel fire suffocated within minutes. In this case the
problem was further compounded by the presence of ventilations
shafts. Originally designed to provide breathable air to trapped
people, these shafts had the unfortunate side effect of
dramatically accelerating the fire's propagation. Especially
devastating is the "chimney effect" that occurs in sloped tunnels.
An example of this was the fire that broke out in Kaprun's ski
tunnel in Austrian Alps.
[0012] In addition, ventilation shafts (which are present in
virtually all multilevel buildings and industrial facilities)
significantly increase the risk of toxic inhalation. This problem
is further compounded by the frequent presence of combustible
materials that can dramatically accelerate a fire's
propagation.
[0013] While the proliferation of remote sensors has led to
significant breakthroughs in early fire--detection, improvements in
the prevention/suppression of fires has been incremental at best.
For example, the most advanced suppression system to combat tunnel
fires is offered by Domenico Piatti (PCT IT 00/00125) at
robogat@tin.it. Based on the rapid deployment of an automated
vehicle (ROBOGAT), the Robogat travels to the fire site through the
affected tunnel. Upon arrival it releases a limited supply of water
and foam to initiate fire suppression. If necessary, the Robogat
can insert a probe into the tunnel's internal water supply for
continued fire-suppression. This system is severely limited for the
following reasons:
[0014] The time that lapses between the outbreak of fire and the
arrival of the Robogat is unacceptable.
[0015] The high temperatures that are characteristic of tunnel
fires will cause deformation and destruction of the monorail, water
and telecommunication lines.
[0016] The fire--resistance of the Robogat construction is highly
suspected.
[0017] The use of water and foam in high--temperature tunnel fires
is only partially effective and will lead to the development of
highly toxic vapors that increase the mortality of entrapped
people.
[0018] One of the main safety deficiencies in modern passenger
airplanes that still remains unresolved is a lack of proper
firefighting and fire preventing equipment.
[0019] In fact, it is not the flames associated with onboard fire
that kills most flight crews and passengers, but rather the smoke
saturated with toxins such as benzene, sulfur dioxide,
formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide.
Although these and other chemicals are lethal, most victims die
from carbon monoxide. This color- and odorless gas produced in
abundance during fires, especially in enclosed compartments with
insufficient ventilation, is extremely lethal even in small
concentrations of less than one percent.
[0020] Toxic combustion products released in an enclosed
compartment such as an aircraft cabin with no readily available
escape means are of major concern in the air transport industry.
This concern is of particular importance for passenger aircraft,
because of constantly growing airplane capacity and increasing
number of passengers that may be exposed.
[0021] The proliferation of toxic chemicals in modern advanced
materials results in a cabin design completely made of plastics,
fabrics, wiring and linings that can be extremely dangerous when
they are heated sufficiently to produce gases. Survival in a toxic
environment like this is limited to only a few minutes. Statistical
analysis for the last decades shows that about 70-80 percent of
fire fatalities result from toxic smoke inhalation.
[0022] A modern passenger aircraft is fully saturated with electric
and electronic equipment, interconnected by many miles of wires and
cables. Emergencies of various origins can lead to electric
short-circuits with consequent inflammation of the insulating coat
and surrounding flammable materials. This is followed by a massive
production of toxic aerosols, which pose the main hazard, according
to human fire fatality experience.
[0023] While the most important survival systems for aircraft, such
as gas turbines and fuel tanks are sufficiently equipped with
automatic fire-fighting systems, the passenger cabin and cockpit
critically lack fire-preventive means. The use of standard
fire-extinguishing substances, like Halon 2000 or the like, cannot
resolve the problem, because of the high toxicity of the products
of their pyrolysis. U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,426 (Miller) teaches such
methods of fire extinguishing in an aircraft cabin as using
ventilation ducts from the cargo fire extinguishing system, which
would expose passengers to potentially lethal combinations of
smoke, fire suppressants and highly toxic products of their
pyrolysis.
[0024] In case of fire on board, pilots must complete an emergency
checklist in order to localize the fire's origin. A pilot's
emergency checklist is too long to let the crew control fires in
the air. For the crew of the Swissair 111 that crashed near Nova
Scotia in 1998, killing 299 people, it took 20 minutes after the
first report of smoke untill the crash, while the standard
checklist requires 30 minutes to complete.
[0025] It is supposed that oxygen masks would save passengers and
flight crews from toxic inhalations. In reality airline pilots are
instructed not to release the masks when the risk of an oxygen-fed
fire would exacerbate the situation. Moreover, these masks are
practically useless against combustion's poisonous gases. Standard
oxygen masks for flight crews and passengers have openings in them
to mix the cabin air with the oxygen supply, thereby allowing a
direct route for lethal gases to reach the lungs. Furthermore, the
oxygen supply in a passenger aircraft provides less than 20% of the
oxygen flow required for respiration and lasts for only a few
minutes.
[0026] Alternatively, increasing the fresh air supply, as offered
in ECHO Air system of Indoor Air Technologies Inc. in Canada, will
only propagate a fire and accelerate its lethality. Their patent
application provided on www.indoorair.ca teaches that an improved
air ventilation system will allow the removal of contaminated air
and supply fresh air into an aircraft cabin more efficiently.
Claiming an improvement on fire safety, this method in practice
improves the oxygenation of a fire source.
[0027] A recent study of the US Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
suggests that in the year 1999, on average, one US airliner a day
made an emergency landing because of a short circuit, which led to
sparking, with resulting smoke and fire in the pressurized cabin.
Faulty wiring is the leading culprit.
[0028] Some organizations have taken drastic action to deal with
the problem. In 1987, the US Navy ordered the removal of the most
vulnerable wiring from its planes, and in 1999 NASA grounded its
entire fleet of space shuttles when a wiring fault led to a launch
being aborted. Yet every day, millions of passengers are still
carried by commercial aircraft that are equipped with old wiring
that cannot be properly tested for faults. In the US, the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has been mounting a probe into the
problems that may afflict aircraft that have been flying for more
than 20 years. The Aging Aircraft Program has been running since
1988, prompted by an accident in which part of the roof peeled off
an aging Boeing 737 in the sky over Hawaii. In 1996, TWA flight 800
came down off the coast of Long Island, killing all 230 people on
board. Faulty wires inside a fuel tank were blamed as the most
likely cause of the explosion. In the wake of that crash, checks on
other airlines around the world led to the discovery of several
other airplanes in which the insulation on aging wiring leading to
sensors in fuel tanks had rubbed away through vibrations, or had
been damaged during routine maintenance.
[0029] There are only 4 current methods of fire suppression in
human-occupied facilities:
[0030] The use of water
[0031] The use of foam
[0032] The use of chemical flame inhibitors
[0033] The use of gaseous flame inhibitors
[0034] The present invention employs a radically different
approach: the use of hypoxic breathable air for the prevention and
suppression of fire. This hypoxic environment completely eliminates
the ignition and combustion of all flammable materials. Moreover,
it is completely safe for human breathing (clinical studies have
proven that long term exposure to a hypoxic environment has
significant health benefits). Hypoxic breathable air can be
inexpensively produced in the necessary amount through the
extraction of oxygen from ambient air.
[0035] In terms of fire prevention, a constantly maintained hypoxic
environment can completely eliminate the possibility of fire while
simultaneously providing an extremely healthy environment. In terms
of suppression, this invention can instantly turn a normoxic
environment into a hypoxic environment with absolutely no adverse
effects to human life. This is extremely useful in the case of a
flash fires or explosions.
[0036] Based on the exploitation of the fundamental differences
between human physiology and the chemo-physical properties of
combustion, this entirely new approach completely resolves the
inherent contradiction between fire prevention and providing a safe
breathable environment for human beings. Consequently, this
invention is a radical advance in the management of fire and will
make all current chemical systems obsolete
[0037] Hypoxic Fire Prevention and Suppression Systems will
completely prevent the massive socioeconomic losses that result
from the outbreak of fire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The principal objects of this invention are as follows:
[0039] The provision of a breathable fire-extinguishing
composition
[0040] A method for producing a fire preventive, hypoxic atmosphere
inside human-occupied environments.
[0041] The provision of oxygen-depletion equipment that produces
breathable, hypoxic air with fire-extinguishing properties. Such
equipment employs the processes of molecular-sieve adsorption,
membrane-separation and other oxygen extraction technologies.
[0042] The provision of breathable fire-extinguishing compositions
for continuous or episodic use in human occupied environments.
[0043] The provision of the equipment and the method to instantly
produce a fire-suppressive, oxygen-depleted atmosphere, where
people can safely breath (without respiratory-support means). This
can be accomplished by releasing a hypoxic fire suppression agent
and creating fire-suppressive atmosphere having an oxygen content
ranging from 10% to 17%.
[0044] The provision of a method for producing a fire-preventive
atmosphere in hermetically sealed objects with controlled
temperature and humidity levels. This can be accomplished by
introducing inert ballast into artificial atmosphere and changing
the initial settings of current life-support systems and
reprogramming them.
[0045] The provision of hypoxic fire preventive/suppressive
environments inside tunnels, vehicles, private homes (separate
rooms or entire structures), public/industrial facilities and all
other applications for non-hermetic human occupied
environments.
[0046] The provision of a fire suppression system that instantly
releases stored oxygen-depleted gas mixture from a high-pressure
pneumatic system or an autonomous container.
[0047] The provision of a method and ability to localize a fire
site through the use of drop curtains, doors or other means of
physical separation; with the subsequent release of breathable,
fire-suppressive gas mixtures.
[0048] The provision of an aircraft fire suppression system
utilizing a hypoxic fire suppression agent for producing a
breathable atmosphere onboard having fire-extinguishing
properties.
[0049] The provision of an aircraft fire suppression system having
a flexible inflatable container for storage of the hypoxic fire
suppression agent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1 presents a schematic view of the density of oxygen
and nitrogen molecules in a hypobaric or natural altitude
environment.
[0051] FIG. 2 presents a schematic view of the density of oxygen
and nitrogen molecules in a normbaric hypoxic environment with the
same partial pressure of oxygen.
[0052] FIG. 3 presents a schematic view of the density of oxygen
and nitrogen molecules in a normbaric normoxic environment; or in
ambient air at sea level.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a working principle of
normbaric hypoxic fire prevention and suppression system.
[0054] FIG. 5 presents a schematic view of the working principle of
hypoxic generator HYP-100/F.
[0055] FIG. 6 provides future modification of the same generator
shown on FIG. 5.
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates a working principle of a membrane
separation module.
[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates the comparison of a flame extinction
curve and a hemoglobin/oxygen saturation curve upon the
introduction of reduced-oxygen air in a controlled environment.
[0058] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the invented system for
house dwellings.
[0059] FIG. 10 presents a schematic view of the invented system for
multilevel buildings.
[0060] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the invented system for
industrial buildings.
[0061] FIG. 12 presents schematic view of a portable
fire-suppression system for selected rooms in any type of
building.
[0062] FIG. 13 illustrates the unique properties of the invented
system in mobile modification.
[0063] FIG. 14 presents a schematic view of the invented system
when implemented into the ventilation system of an underground
military facility.
[0064] FIG. 15 presents a schematic view of the system's working
principle in an automobile tunnel
[0065] FIG. 16 presents a schematic cross-sectional view of a
tunnel with a localizing curtain-deployment system.
[0066] FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of the invented system for
electric railroad or subway tunnels.
[0067] FIG. 18 shows a frontal view of the tunnel's entry, with
separating door.
[0068] FIG. 19 presents a schematic view of the invented system for
tunnels of mountain ski trains or funiculars.
[0069] FIG. 20 shows a schematic view of the On-Board FirePASS that
can be used in trains, buses, subway cars or other passenger
vehicles.
[0070] FIG. 21 illustrates the implementation of the FirePASS
technology into the ventilation system of a current passenger
airliner.
[0071] FIG. 22 presents the implementation of the FirePASS in the
next generation of airliners that can fly above the Earth's
atmosphere (or for space vehicles).
[0072] FIG. 23 illustrates the general working principle of the
autonomous air-regeneration system for hermetic human-occupied
spaces.
[0073] FIG. 24 shows the implementation of the hypoxic FirePASS
technology into an autonomous air-regenerative system of a military
vehicle.
[0074] FIG. 25 presents a schematic view of a hypoxic
fire-extinguishing breathable composition as part of the internal
atmosphere of a space station.
[0075] FIG. 26 presents a schematic view of the Marine FirePASS
system for use in marine vessels, e.g. tankers, cargo, cruise
ships, or military vessels.
[0076] FIG. 27 illustrates the working principle of the Marine
FirePASS.
[0077] FIG. 28 shows the implementation of Aircraft Fire
Suppression System into aircraft cabin design.
[0078] FIGS. 29, 30, 31 and 32 illustrate schematically the working
principle of the AFSS.
[0079] FIG. 33 illustrates the variance in oxyhemoglobin's
saturation at 10% O2 in inspired air containing ambient atmospheric
CO2 concentration in one case and increased up to 4% CO2 content in
another case.
[0080] FIG. 34 shows a diagram representing an average
physiological response to the exposure to the invented breathable
hypoxic fire-suppressive agent at altitude of 2.5 km or onboard of
modem passenger aircraft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0081] This invention is based on a discovery made during research
conducted in a Hypoxic Room System manufactured by Hypoxico Inc.
The inventor discovered that that the processes of ignition and
combustion in a normbaric, hypoxic environment are far different
from the ignition and combustion process that occurs in a hypobaric
or natural altitude environment with the same partial pressure of
oxygen.
[0082] For example, air with a 4.51" (114.5 mm of mercury) partial
pressure of oxygen at an altitude of 9,000' (2700 m) can easily
support the burning of a candle or the ignition of paper.
[0083] However, if we create a corresponding normbaric environment
with the same partial pressure of oxygen (4.51" or 114.5 mm of
mercury), a candle will not burn and paper will not ignite. Even a
match will be instantly extinguished after the depletion of the
oxygen-carrying chemicals found at its tip. For that matter, any
fire that is introduced into this normbaric, hypoxic environment is
instantly extinguished. Even a propane gas lighter or a gas torch
will not ignite in this environment
[0084] This surprising observation leads to an obvious question:
"Why do two environments that contain identical partial pressures
of oxygen (identical number of oxygen molecules per specific
volume) effect the processes of ignition and combustion so
differently?"
[0085] The answer is simple: "The difference in oxygen
concentration in these two environments diminishes the availability
of oxygen to support combustion. This is due to nitrogen molecules
interfering with the kinetic properties of oxygen molecules". In
other words, the increased density of nitrogen molecules provides a
"buffer zone" that obstructs the availability of oxygen.
[0086] FIG. 1 presents a schematic view of the density of oxygen
and nitrogen molecules in a hypobaric or natural environment at an
altitude of 9,000'/2.7 km. (All other atmospheric gases are
disregarded in order to simplify the following explanations). Dark
circles represent oxygen molecules, and hollow circles represent
nitrogen molecules.
[0087] FIG. 2 shows the density of molecules in a hypoxic
environment with the same partial pressure of oxygen (4.51" or
114.5 mm of mercury), but at a standard atmospheric pressure of 760
mm of mercury.
[0088] As can be seen, both environments contain identical amounts
of oxygen molecules per specific volume. However, in the second
case (shown on FIG. 2) the relative amount of nitrogen molecules
versus oxygen molecules is approximately 6:1 to 4:1,
respectively.
[0089] When the kinetic properties of both gases are compared it is
discovered that nitrogen molecules are both slower and less
permeable (by a factor of 2.5) than oxygen molecules. This relative
increase in the number of inert nitrogen molecules obstructs the
kinetic behavior of oxygen molecules. This reduces their ability to
support ignition and combustion.
[0090] FIG. 3 shows that at sea level, the oxygen/nitrogen
composition in ambient air has a greater partial pressure (159.16
mm of mercury) of oxygen than air found at 9,000' (114.5 mm). It
should be noted that ambient air in any portion of the Earth's
atmosphere (from sea level to mount Everest) has an oxygen
concentration of 20.94%. However, the ambient air found at sea
level is under substantially more pressure: Therefore the number of
gas molecules per specific volume increases as the distance between
the gas molecules is reduced.
"Hypoxic Threshold" and Its Physiological Background
[0091] During the last decade a substantial amount of data has been
accumulated on the physiological effects of hypoxic environments.
Extensive laboratory experimentation along with in-depth clinical
research has established clear benefits of normbaric, hypoxic air
in fitness training, and disease--prevention. Oxygen concentrations
in normbaric breathing air (at altitudes up to 2600 m) with the
corresponding partial pressure of oxygen have absolutely no harmful
side effects on the human body. (Peacock 1998).
[0092] This elevation is inhabited by millions of people throughout
the world, with no detrimental health effects (Hochachka 1998).
[0093] Analysis of data derived from numerous experiments by the
inventor has led to the conclusion that under normbaric conditions
it is possible to create an artificial environment with breathable
hypoxic air that can simultaneously suppress ignition and
combustion
[0094] Multiple experiments were conducted focusing on ignition
suppression and flame extinction in a normbaric environment of
hypoxic, breathable air. It was found that the ignition of common
combustible materials was impossible once the oxygen content
dropped below 16.8%. During combustion tests, diffuse flames of
various tested materials were completely extinguished when oxygen
content fell below 16.2%.
[0095] This discovery justifies the creation a new scientific term:
"Hypoxic Threshold" which represents the absolute flammability
limits of any fuel in an artificial atmosphere with oxygen content
of 16.2%. Flame extinction at the Hypoxic Threshold results in the
instant elimination of combustion; including an accelerated
suppression of glowing. This results in the continued suppression
of toxic fumes and aerosols.
[0096] These experiments unequivocally prove that a breathable,
human--friendly environment, with oxygen content under 16.2%, will
completely suppress ignition and combustion.
[0097] In terms of partial pressure of oxygen, the Hypoxic
Threshold (16.2% O2) corresponds to an altitude of 2200 meters.
This is identical to the altitude that is used to pressurize
passenger aircraft during routine flights. It has been proven to be
completely safe, even for people with chronic diseases such as
cardiopulmonary insufficiency (Peacock 1998).
[0098] A normbaric environment at Hypoxic Threshold provides a
fire-preventive atmosphere that is completely safe for private
dwellings, or the workplace. It is scientifically proven that the
physiological effects of mild normbaric hypoxia are identical to
the effects exhibited at the corresponding natural altitude.
Millions of people vacation at these altitudes (2 to 3 km) with no
harmful side effects
[0099] The schematic diagram provided in FIG. 8 contrasts the
differing reactions of two oxygen-dependent systems (a flame and a
human body) when exposed to a hypoxic environment.
[0100] Curve Y represents the decline in combustion intensity
(corresponding to the height of a stabile diffusion flame) in
relation to the declining oxygen content in a controlled
environment. 100% corresponds to the maximum height of a flame at
an ambient atmospheric oxygen content of 20.94%. When oxygen
content in the controlled atmosphere drops below 18%, a sharp
decline in flame height can be observed. At hypoxic threshold X
(16.2% O2) the flame and its associated glowing are completely
extinguished.
[0101] In terms of prevention, the Hypoxic Threshold can be set at
16.8%. This is due to the fact that a diffuse flame receives
supplemental oxygen through a combination of convection and free
radical production from decomposing fuel--the factors that are not
present until post-ignition. However, in order to insure maximum
protection each future embodiment will require an environment with
oxygen content at or below the "Hypoxic Threshold" (16.2%).
[0102] Curve Z illustrates the variance of hemoglobin's oxygen
saturation with as it relates to the partial pressure of inspired
oxygen. In ambient air (at sea level), average hemoglobin
saturation in vivo is 98%. At dynamic equilibrium molecules of
oxygen are binding to heme (the active, oxygen--carrying part of
hemoglobin molecule) at the same rate oxygen molecules are being
released. When the PO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) is increased,
the rate that oxygen molecules bind to hemoglobin exceeds the rate
at which they are released. When the PO2 decreases, oxygen
molecules are released from hemoglobin at a rate that exceeds the
rate at which they are bound.
[0103] Under normal thermal conditions, the saturation of
hemoglobin remains above 90%, even if exposed to an alveolar PO2 of
60 mm Hg (which corresponds to an altitude of 3300 meters or 14% O2
in normbaric hypoxic air). This means that oxygen transport will
continue at an acceptable rate despite a significant decrease in
the oxygen content of alveolar air.
[0104] It is important to note that a partial pressure of the
inspired oxygen can only determine the hemoglobin saturation in the
alveoli. All the following oxygen transport and metabolism depend
only from the balance between the body's cellular demand and the
body's vascular delivery capacity. In standard atmospheric
conditions the partial pressure of neutral diluting gases has no
influence on the metabolism and transport of oxygen.
[0105] In contrast, the ability of oxygen molecules to support
combustion is substantially impinged as the relative concentration
of neutral or inert gases (in this case--nitrogen) increases.
[0106] The radically different properties of these oxygen dependent
systems is the crucial factor that allows a hypoxic environment at
the Hypoxic Threshold to be completely safe for human life, but not
support combustion.
[0107] The diagram presented in FIG. 8 clearly illustrates that the
Hypoxic Threshold does not significantly alter the saturation of
hemoglobin in vivo. Conversely, the Hypoxic Threshold instantly
extinguishes any flame. It should be noted that curve Z represents
the hemoglobin saturation curve of an individual who is exposed to
hypoxia without previous adaptation. In cases where a hypoxic
environment is used proactively (for fire prevention), individuals
quickly adapt to the reduced oxygen level and will have normal
hemoglobin saturation levels.
[0108] Consequently, there is absolutely no risk to people who
spend an extended period of time in a hypoxic environment. In fact
numerous medical publications describe the significant health
benefits associated with long-term exposure to normbaric hypoxia.
More information on these studies can be found at Hypoxico Inc's
website (www.hypoxico.com).
[0109] In addition, further studies indicate that high levels of
humidity enhance the capability of a hypoxic environment to
suppress combustion. This is due to the fact that fast moving water
molecules create a secondary buffer zone that makes oxygen
molecules less available to support ignition or combustion.
[0110] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a basic concept of a fire
protected normbaric (or slightly hyperbaric) human-occupied space
11 for living or working
[0111] FIG. 4 illustrates a particular case of a room 11 having
racks of electronic equipment 13 (or stored flammable materials)
located in a normbaric environment with oxygen concentration at or
below the Hypoxic Threshold. This environment provides absolute
fire safety by:
[0112] Preventing combustible materials from igniting
[0113] Instantly suppressing electrical or chemical fires.
[0114] Hypoxic environments with an oxygen content of 17% to 18%
can also provide limited protection against ignition and
combustion. However, it is advisable for public areas (e.g.
museums, archives etc.) to maintain an oxygen concentration at a
level from 15% to 16.8%. For human occupied public facilities that
require superior fire protection an oxygen content of 14% to 15% is
recommended. Facilities that require only short periodical human
visits may employ environments with oxygen content ranging from 12%
to 14%. This corresponds to an altitude of 3 km to 4.5 km (10,000'
t 14,500').
[0115] The hypoxic air inside the computer room 11 is maintained at
approximately 67.degree. F. (18.degree. C.) by a split
air-conditioning unit (14) and is connected to an external heat
exchanger (15) by a hose 16. Warm air enters the unit 14 through an
intake 17, gets chilled, and then exits the unit 14 through an
outlet 18. Hot refrigerant and water condensation (from air) are
transmitted through a connector hose 16 into an external unit 15.
At this point the refrigerant gets chilled, and the condensation is
either evaporated or removed. The working principle of a split a/c
unit is well known and shall not be described in this patent. A
suitable device--PAC/GSR is made by the Italian company DeLonghi.
Larger split a/c systems are also readily available. For facilities
that do not contain computer equipment air conditioning is not
required
[0116] A Hypoxic generator 20 is installed outside a room 11. The
generator 20 takes in ambient air through an intake 21 and extracts
oxygen. Oxygen-enriched air is then disposed of through outlet 22.
The remaining hypoxic gas mixture is transmitted inside the room 11
through the supply outlet 23. Excessive hypoxic air leaves the room
11 through a door 12 in order to equalize the atmospheric pressure
inside the room 11 with the outside environment.
[0117] The door 12 for personnel entry is not airtight--allowing
excess air to the exit room 11. For a 20 cubic meter room, a gap of
approximately 5 mm is sufficient for immediate pressure
equalization. For some applications it is beneficial to create a
slightly hyperbaric environment. This can be easily accomplished by
making the room 11 airtight and eliminating gaps around the door
12. Other possibilities are described in previous U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,799.652 and 5,887.439.
[0118] The number of hypoxic generators needed for a room 11
depends on a combination of its size and the number of people that
occupy it. The generator best suited for a 20-m3 room would be the
HYP-100/F. This is currently available from Hypoxico Inc. of New
York. The HYP-110/F employs a PSA (pressure-swing adsorption)
technology that extracts oxygen from ambient air. This maintenance
free unit weighs only 55 lbs (25 kg) and requires only 450 W. A
nitrogen generator with the same capability would be 3 times
heavier and would consume 2-3 times more power. An additional
advantage of the hypoxic generator is its ability to increase the
humidity of hypoxic air. To avoid accidents, the oxygen
concentration setting cannot be changed by the user.
[0119] FIG. 5 illustrates the working principle of hypoxic
generator 20. The compressor 24 takes in ambient air through an
intake filter 21 and pressurizes it up to 18 psi. Compressed air is
then chilled in a cooler 25 and is transmitted through a conduit 26
into a distribution valve 27. This is connected to multiple
separation containers or molecular sieve beds 29 via a manifold 28.
Depending on design needs, these can be installed in a linear or
circular fashion. The number of molecular sieve beds may vary from
one to 12. HYP-100/F is designed with 12 molecular sieve beds in a
circular formation, pressurized in 3 cycles, four beds at a time.
This is accomplished by a rotary distribution valve 27. In this
particular case a small electric actuator motor 30 drives a rotary
valve 27. Both the design, and the working principle of rotary
distribution valves, motors and actuators are well known and will
not be described further. All of these parts are widely available
from valve distributors.
[0120] Each molecular sieve bed 29 (or group of beds in case of
HYP-100/F) gets pressurized in cycles via a valve 27 that
selectively redirects compressed air into each bed. These beds 29
are filled with molecular sieve material (preferably zeolites) that
allow oxygen to pass through while adsorbing most other gases;
including water vapors (this is important for the end product).
Oxygen (or the oxygen-enriched fraction) passing through the
zeolites is collected in collector 31 and is released through a
release valve 32. It is then disposed into the atmosphere through
an outlet 22.
[0121] When the zeolites in one of the beds 29 become saturated
with oxygen depleted air, the compressed air supply is blocked by a
valve 27. This bed then depressurizes, allowing oxygen-depleted air
to escape from the zeolites in the bed 29. It is then transmitted
through a manifold 28 into a hypoxic air supply conduit 23. This
one-way release valve 32 keeps the oxygen-enriched fraction in the
collector 31 under minimal pressure (approximately 5 psi). This
assures that during the depressurization of the bed 29 sufficient
oxygen can reenter. This purges the zeolites that are contaminated
with nitrogen and water, thereby enhancing their absorption
capacity.
[0122] A motorized rotary actuator 30 may be replaced with a linear
actuator with a mechanical air distribution valve 27. The motorized
actuator 30 may also be replaced by a set of solenoid, or
electrically operated air valves 27. However, this will require the
addition of a circuit board, making the generator 20 more costly
and less reliable. Solenoid valves, mechanical valves, electric
valves and linear actuators are widely available and will not be
described farther.
[0123] FIG. 6 shows a hypoxic generator 40, which is available from
Hypoxico Inc. This model works on compressed air provided by a
compressor 24 and does not require additional electric motors,
switches or circuit boards. In this case the distribution valve 47
is comprised of one or more air-piloted valves mounted on a
manifold 48. Air-piloted valves are driven by compressed air and do
not require additional support. The compressed is cleaned by a
long-life HEPA filter 49 available from Hypoxico Inc. Suitable
air-piloted valves are available from Humphrey Products in
Kalamazoo, Mich., U.S.A. Numerous combinations can be employed in
distribution valve 47 in order to distribute compressed air in a
cyclical manner. A suitable valve can be selected from this group,
which includes electrical mechanical, air piloted, or solenoid
valves. Both linear and rotary configurations are available with
actuators controlled by pressure, mechanical springs, motors or
timers. It is not possible to cover all potential air distribution
solutions in this patent. The number of molecular sieve beds in
this model may vary from 1 to 12 (or more).
[0124] HYP-100/F provides hypoxic air with 15% oxygen at the rate
of 100 liters per minute (different settings from 10% to 18% are
available and must be preset at the factory). The HYP-100/F is
tamper resistant, as an unauthorized individual cannot change the
oxygen setting. Larger size generators up to 1200 L/min are also
available from Hypoxico Inc.
[0125] The hypoxic generator 20 supplies hypoxic air with
approximately 15% greater humidity than the surrounding ambient
air. In mild climates, this increased level humidity along with the
appropriate temperature provides a perfect environment for
computers. In drier climates, or when a nitrogen generator is used
in place of a hypoxic generator 20, it is advisable to install a
humidifier 19 (optional in other cases) to maintain the room at
approximately 40% relative humidity. Any humidifier that is
certified for public use is acceptable.
[0126] Multiple generators 20 can be placed in a special generator
room with its own a/c system and a fresh air supply above 500
ft.sup.3/h (14 m.sup.3/hour) per each HYP-100/F generator. This is
convenient for larger facilities with multiple rooms 11. In this
case, larger air-conditioning units working in the recycle mode
should be installed. Hypoxic generators will provide sufficient
ventilation and fresh air supply. Every hypoxic generator is
equipped with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance)
filter that provides almost sterile air. In addition this "clean
environment" is also beneficial for fire prevention as they
substantially reduce dust accumulations on computer equipment.
[0127] Room 11 may also represent a computer cabinet 13. In this
case, hypoxic air supplied by a miniature size generator 20 is
chilled by a small heat exchange module 14 (both will be available
from Hypoxico Inc.).
[0128] Any oxygen extraction device, such as a nitrogen generator
or an oxygen concentrator can be used instead of a hypoxic
generator 20. However, this will create significant disadvantages.
PSA (pressure-swing adsorption) and membrane separation nitrogen
generators require much higher pressures. The result of this is a
less power efficient unit that is heavier, noisier, and costlier to
maintain. Moreover, nitrogen generators are inefficient and create
an extremely arid product that would require extensive
humidification. Other oxygen extraction technologies, such as
temperature-swing or electrical current swing absorption, may also
be employed in the oxygen extraction device 20. Most of these
technologies rely on the use of an air pump and an air separation
module. The design and working principle of such air separation
modules (employing both molecular-sieve adsorption and membrane
separation technologies) is well known and widely available.
[0129] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a nitrogen generator or
oxygen concentrator employing an oxygen-enrichment membrane module
50. Extracted oxygen is disposed of through an outlet 53. Dry
compressed air is delivered via an inlet 51 into a hollow-fiber
membrane module 50. Fast moving oxygen molecules under pressure
diffuse through the walls of hollow fibers and exit through the
outlet 53. Dry nitrogen or a nitrogen enriched gas mixture passes
through the hollow fibers and is transmitted through an outlet 52
into the room 11. The employment of this technology in the Hypoxic
FirePASS system would require additional humidification of the
room's 11 environment
[0130] Both, nitrogen generators and oxygen concentrators require
sophisticated computerized monitoring equipment to control and
monitor oxygen levels. This makes them unsafe for human occupied
facilities.
[0131] The principle of a normbaric hypoxic environment for fire
prevention and suppression could be applied to any room. Enclosures
of any shape and size including buildings, marine vessels, cargo
containers, airliners, space vehicles/space station, computer
rooms, private homes, and most other industrial and non-industrial
facilities will benefit from a fire-preventative hypoxic
environment.
[0132] In a large computer facility, each rack with computer
equipment 13 may be enclosed in its own hypoxic room 11. This
energy sparing strategy will provide a normoxic environment between
the racks 13. In addition, it will not interfere with a facility's
current fire suppression system. Moreover, the facility may use a
much cheaper sprinkler system, as water will not be able to damage
computer equipment that is enclosed inside the hypoxic room's
watertight panel enclosures. Hypoxico Inc. in New York manufactures
suitable modular panel enclosures of any size. In this case,
air-conditioning for each enclosure becomes optional as the
facility might already be sufficiently chilled.
[0133] FIG. 8 illustrates a comparison of flame extinction curve Y
and hemoglobin saturation curve Z in a controlled atmosphere during
the gradual reduction of oxygen (This has been explained
earlier).
[0134] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a private home with a dual
mode modification of the FirePASS system. The system can be set in
the preventative mode or the suppressive mode.
[0135] A house 91 having installed the Home FirePASS system will
include a hypoxic generator 92 with an outside air intake 93 and
distribution piping 94. Discharge nozzles 95 will be located in
every room.
[0136] This type of hypoxic generator 92 incorporates an additional
compressor (not shown) that allows hypoxic air to be stored and
maintained in a high-pressure storage container 97, via pipe
96.
[0137] Hypoxic air used in fire-preventive mode should have oxygen
content of approximately 16%. In the suppressive mode the oxygen
content in the internal atmosphere (after the deployment of the
FirePASS) should be between 12% and 14%.
[0138] Smoke and fire detectors 98 installed in the home will
initiate the Home FirePASS in the suppressive mode (in the
prevention mode fire ignition is impossible). All detection and
control equipment is available on the market and will not be
described further.
[0139] The storage container 97 can contain hypoxic air under a
pressure of approximately 100 bar (or higher), when a smaller tank
is desired. The container 97 should be installed outside of the
home 91, preferably in protective housing. High-pressure gas
storage containers and compressors are readily available in the
market. The hypoxic generator 92 for the Home FirePASS is available
from Hypoxico Inc.
[0140] The working principle of the system can be described as
follows. The hypoxic generator 92 draws in fresh outside air the
through the intake 93, and supplies hypoxic air into a
high-pressure container 97 through a built-in compressor.
Recommended storage pressure in the tank is approximately 100
bar.
[0141] The system has two operating modes: preventative mode and
suppressing mode. When the home is left uninhabited (during working
hours or vacations), a fire-preventive mode is initiated by
pressing a button on the main control panel (not shown). This
initiates the system by starting the hypoxic generator and allowing
the slow release of hypoxic air from the container 97 into the
distribution piping 94. Nozzles 95 are located in every room in the
house. Consequently, a fire-preventive environment (with an oxygen
content of 16%) can be established in approximately 15 minutes. In
addition, a hypoxic environment can be created with an oxygen
concentration below 10%. This is a very effective deterrent against
intruders, as it is an extremely uncomfortable environment to be
in. When people return home, they can quickly establish a normoxic
atmosphere by opening windows or using a ventilating system (not
shown). When the fire-preventive environment is created, the
generator 92 will refill the container 97 with hypoxic air.
[0142] If desired, a hypoxic fire-preventive atmosphere can be
permanently established, making the container 97 obsolete. In the
preventive mode, the generator 92 of the Home FirePASS will
constantly provide a human friendly normbaric hypoxic environment
with oxygen content of 16%. This corresponds to an altitude of 2200
m above sea level. This breathable fire-preventive atmosphere
provides a number of health benefits (described on
www.hypoxico.com) and excludes the possibility of combustion (even
smoking inside house 91 will be impossible). For cooking purposes,
electric appliances must be used. Household heating appliances that
run on gas or liquid fuel can be made operational by installing an
air supply duct that allows outside air to be drawn for
combustion.
[0143] The system's fire suppression mode is tied directly to smoke
or thermal detectors 98, installed in each room of the house. A
signal from a smoke detector 98 is transmitted to the main control
panel, which opens an automatic release valve (not shown). This
results in the rapid introduction of the hypoxic gas mixture from
the container 97. Release nozzles 95 can be equipped with small
air-powered sirens that are activated upon the release of hypoxic
air. It is recommended that hypoxic gas should be released into all
rooms simultaneously.
[0144] However, in order to reduce the size of container 97, the
release of hypoxic air can be limited to the room in which smoke
was detected. Given FirePASS's reaction time of less than one
second, this should be more than sufficient to suppress a localized
fire. More concentrated hypoxic fire suppression agent with oxygen
content from 0.1% to 10% can be used as well, in order to reduce
the size of the storage container 97. The exact size and amount of
the fire suppression agent should be calculated so that when
released, it creates a breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere
having oxygen concentration from 10% to 16%.
[0145] To reduce costs, the Home FirePASS can operate in
suppression mode without the installation of generator 92. In this
case the system will consist of a high-pressure tank 97, gas
delivery piping 94 and a detection and control system 98. A local
service company can provide the requisite maintenance and refilling
of the gas storage tanks 97.
[0146] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a multilevel building 101
with the Building FirePASS installed in fire-suppressive mode.
[0147] A larger FirePASS block (available from Hypoxico inc.)
installed on the roof of the building 101 has a hypoxic generator
102 providing hypoxic air (or fire extinguishing agent) through the
extraction of oxygen from ambient air. The generator 102
communicates with a compressor 103, delivering hypoxic air at high
pressure to the storage container 104. Once there, it is maintained
under a constant pressure of approximately 200 bar (or higher).
[0148] As shown in FIG. 10, a vertical fire agent delivery pipe 105
having discharge nozzles 106 on each floor can be installed
throughout the entire building, either externally or in an elevator
shaft. Discharge nozzles 106 are installed with silencers to reduce
the noise created by the release of high- pressure fire agent.
[0149] When fire is detected, a signal from a central control panel
initiates the opening of a release valve 107 forcing stored hypoxic
air (fire agent) into the distribution pipe 105. Given the
FirePASS's rapid response time, the creation of a breathable
fire-suppressive environment on the affected floor should be
sufficient. However, as an added precaution, hypoxic agent should
be released to the adjacent floors as well. The Building FirePASS
will release sufficient amount of the hypoxic fire suppression
agent (with oxygen content below 10%). to the desired floors
creating a breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere with oxygen
content of approximately 12%-15%.
[0150] The positive pressure of the hypoxic atmosphere will
guarantee its penetration into all apartments and will instantly
suppress a source of fire in any room. In addition, by establishing
a hypoxic environment on the adjacent floors, a fire will be unable
to spread to the upper portion of the building. A key advantage of
this system is that it can be incorporated into the
fire-sensing/fire-extinguishing equipment that is currently in
place (such as employed by a sprinkler system, gas--suppression
system, etc.)
[0151] Separate floors may have an individual fire detection system
connected to an individual Floor FirePASS, as shown on the bottom
of FIG. 10. High-pressure hypoxic gas containers 108 can release
hypoxic agent throughout the floor via distribution piping 109 with
discharge nozzles in each room. In order to reduce the storage
pressure and the size of container, a very low oxygen concentration
may be used in the stored gas, provided that a safe breathable
atmosphere will be established in each room with oxygen content of
about 12%-15%. Freestanding fire-extinguishing units with hypoxic
fire agent can be used in selected rooms in the building. Such
units are described later in connection to FIG. 12.
[0152] The Building FirePASS shown on FIG. 10 can be installed in
current buildings of any type. The same system without gas storage
container 104 can work in the fire-preventive mode, constantly
supplying hypoxic fire-retarding air for ventilation. In the
future, most of buildings and structures for living, working or
entertainment will have self-contained artificial atmospheres
created and maintained using the invented FirePASS technology.
Hypoxic generator 102 may employ pressure or temperature--swing
absorbers, cryogenic air liquefiers with centrifugal separators,
membrane separators, electric current or electric field separators
and other oxygen-extraction technologies. Produced oxygen will be
consumed by a building's power plant, fuel cells, etc., which will
allow cleaner combustion and higher efficiency of the power
generating systems.
[0153] FIG. 11 presents a schematic view of an industrial building
110. The ground floor has no separating walls and can be open to
the outside atmosphere, e.g. for unloading, etc. In this case,
FirePASS should include separating partitions, or curtains 115,
that can be dropped down in case of fire or installed permanently
(e.g. in form of soft clear flaps).
[0154] The Hypoxic generator/compressor block 111 and gas storage
container 112 are installed on the roof or outside of the building
110. The Building FirePASS delivers hypoxic air through
distribution piping 113 and discharge nozzles 114. In the case of a
localized fire (in a room or on an upper floor), the FirePass will
instantly discharge hypoxic air in an amount that is sufficient to
establish the Hypoxic Threshold of 16.8% O2, but comfortable enough
for human breathing (14-15% recommended, or 10-14% for some
applications).
[0155] When smoke and/or fire are detected on the ground floor,
curtains 115 (which are stored in curtain holders 116) are released
thereby separating the floor into localized areas. This will block
the ventilation and movement of air. When fire is detected, the
building's ventilation system should be immediately shut down.
Hypoxic air is then instantly released into the affected area (and
the adjacent area), causing the fire to be rapidly
extinguished.
[0156] Curtains 115 should be made from a fire-resistant synthetic
material that is soft and clear. Vertical flaps of the curtains 115
will allow for the quick exit of people who are trapped in the
affected area.
[0157] FirePASS system can establish a hypoxic environment below
Hypoxic Threshold on a specific floor or throughout an entire
building. If required, this fully breathable, fire-suppressive
atmosphere can be maintained indefinitely, providing a lifeline to
people that are trapped inside. This embodiment is suitable for
providing fire-preventive and fire-suppressive environments for
numerous applications.
[0158] For example, nuclear power plants could be maintained in a
fire-preventive state. If an accident does occur, than the oxygen
content should be reduced to approximately 10%. This extreme
hypoxic environment is still safe for a minimum of 20 minutes,
giving trapped people time to escape and protecting their bodies
from radiation that provides less damage when oxyhemoglobin
saturation drops below 80%. When lower oxygen concentrations are
used, breathing can be further stimulated by adding carbon dioxide
to the fire suppressive agent.
[0159] Both Home FirePASS, and Building FirePASS, can be installed
in a strictly preventive mode. In this case, storage containers 97,
104 and 112 become optional, as the generator will be constantly
pumping hypoxic air into the distribution piping. This creates a
permanent fire-preventative environment.
[0160] Another cost effective solution would be to provide each
room with its own automatic fire suppression apparatus. FIG. 12
shows a freestanding fire-extinguishing unit 121 having a gas
storage container 122 inside. A release valve 123 (preferably burst
disk type) can be opened by an electro-explosive initiator 124 that
is actuated by a thermal/smoke-detecting device on the control
block 125. When smoke or fire is detected, a signal from the
control block 125 actuates the initiator 124. This causes the valve
123 to open and release the hypoxic fire extinguishing composition
through discharge nozzles 126 in each room. An extended-life
battery, with an optional AC power connection can power the control
block 125.
[0161] Storage container 122 contains the appropriate quantity of
the hypoxic fire suppression agent under high pressure. The oxygen
content in the fire suppression composition is approximately below
10%, so when released, it will provide a breathable
fire-suppressive atmosphere at or slightly below the Hypoxic
Threshold. The amount of hypoxic fire-suppressive agent in the
container 122 can be easily adjusted for each room by changing the
gas storage pressure.
[0162] Carbon dioxide can be added to the fire-suppressive agent in
necessary quantities, thereby replacing the corresponding part of
nitrogen. This will stimulate the breathing process if the hypoxic
atmosphere having an oxygen content below 14%. The amount of carbon
dioxide added to the fire agent should be calculated so that its
content in created fire-suppressive atmosphere will achieve
approximately 4%-5%.
[0163] The container 122 is surrounded by protective filling 127
that cushions it against impact and provides it with thermal
protection. Discharge nozzles 126 are equipped with silencers or
noise traps in order to reduce the noise from discharging gas.
[0164] Units 121 can be temporarily installed and are an excellent
alternative to costly fire suppression systems that require
permanent installation.
[0165] FIG. 13 demonstrates the unique abilities of a mobile
FirePASS system for industrial applications. For example, a broken
tank or vessel 130 having a hatch 131 can be welded in a hypoxic
environment. This is not feasible using current suppression systems
as an empty container may still contain explosive vapors.
[0166] A Mobile FirePASS unit 132, producing approximately 2 cubic
meters of hypoxic air per minute would quickly reduce the tank's
130 oxygen content to 14%. This hypoxic fire-extinguishing
composition will be heavier than the explosive vapors in the
ambient air. Consequently, it will act like a blanket, covering the
surface of the inflammable liquid. Therefore a completely safe
working environment will be created inside the tank 130. Lower
oxygen concentrations can be used if the welder has a dedicated
breathing supply. In this case, the welder will expire air with an
oxygen content of approximately 16.5%. This level is close to the
hypoxic threshold and will not negatively influence the surrounding
environment.
[0167] In this environment all types of cutting or welding can be
safely employed, including electric welding and oxygen-acetylene
torches. Even if a spark, or molten metal touches the kerosene,
ignition will not occur.
[0168] Similar mobile FirePASS units can be used in numerous
applications where repair work must be done in an explosive or fire
hazardous environment, e.g. inside a sea tanker, an underground
gasoline vessel, a crude oil pipe etc.
[0169] FIG. 14 presents a schematic view of an underground military
installation 140 being maintained in a constant hypoxic
fire-preventive environment. This is provided by a special
Underground FirePASS system. Ambient atmospheric air is taken in
via a ventilation intake 141, which is installed at a remote
location. It is then delivered through a ventilation shaft 142 into
hypoxic generator module 143. A downstream-side filtering unit 144
purifies the air, eliminating chemical and bacteriological
contaminants.
[0170] Hypoxic air having an oxygen content of approximately 15% is
delivered from a generator 143 into ventilation ducts 145 with
discharge nozzles 146 evenly distributed throughout the facility
140. This provides each room with a self-contained breathable
fire-preventive atmosphere at a slightly positive barometric
pressure. Excessive hypoxic atmosphere exits the underground
facility 140 via an elevator shaft 147 with a protected one-way
ventilation opening on top (not shown). When the exit cover 148 of
the shaft 147 slides open, the positive pressure and higher density
of the hypoxic air prevents outside air from rushing in, which
provides additional important feature of the system. This
fire-preventive atmosphere provides additional protection from an
explosion (e.g. from a penetrating bomb or internal accident) by
stopping fire from propagate inside the facility.
[0171] FIG. 15 presents a schematic view of the Tunnel FirePASS
system for automobile tunnels. This fire suppression system is
self-adjustable and fully automatic.
[0172] A high-pressure pipe 152 runs throughout the length of the
tunnel 151. It can be installed alongside a wall 151 or below the
ceiling. The pipe 152 is connected to a high-pressure container 153
outside the tunnel 151. The result of this configuration is a fully
enclosed high-pressure gas circuit 152-153. For longer tunnels it
is advisable to have separate systems on each end. Additional
systems can be added, if necessary, in selected sections. For
example, a 25 km tunnel recently opened in Norway would require at
least 10 additional FirePASS units installed throughout its
length.
[0173] Gas discharge nozzles 154 are distributed evenly throughout
the full length of the tunnel. Each nozzle 154 services a separate
section of the tunnel, e.g. A, B, C, etc. A ventilation system of
the tunnel is not shown on this drawing in order to simplify this
presentation. In case of a fire, each sector can be separated with
soft flap curtains 155, held normally in curtain-holders 156.
[0174] A Hypoxic generator 157 is installed outside the tunnel and
communicates with a high-pressure vessel 153 through the compressor
block 158. High-pressure container 153 and a pipe 152 contain
breathable hypoxic air with an oxygen content below 15%. Generated
by the hypoxic generator 157 and delivered into a container 153 via
the compressor block 158, this air is at a barometric pressure of
approximately 200-300 bar. Longer tunnels require the installation
of multiple Tunnel FirePASS units as shown in FIG. 15.
[0175] The working principle of this embodiment can be explained as
follows. If a fire occurs in section C it will be immediately
detected by heat/smoke detectors 159 which are distributed at
5-meter intervals throughout the tunnel. The curtain holders 156
located between sections A, B, C, D and E will release flexible,
transparent curtains. This will separate the fire in section C from
the rest of the tunnel.
[0176] As shown in FIG. 16, the curtains 155 will be made from a
synthetic material and have soft transparent flaps. These curtains
155 can be instantly inflated by a high-pressure gas cartridge or a
pyrotechnic cartridge 161. These cartridges will be similar to
those used in inflatable automobile bags. The cartridge will be
initiated by a signal from the smoke/fire detectors 159. Suitable
detection equipment is available from numerous manufacturers.
[0177] Simultaneously, the tunnels internal ventilation system will
shut down and discharge nozzle 154 in section C will release
hypoxic air under high pressure. This hypoxic air is stored in the
pipe 152 and the container 153. The volume of hypoxic air released
into section C will exceed the volume of section C by several
times. Therefore, sections B, C and D will undergo complete air
exchange, ensuring the quick establishment of a breathable
fire-suppressive environment. In shorter tunnels (under 1000 m) the
volume of hypoxic air should be sufficient to fill the entire
tunnel.
[0178] To calculate the amount of the hypoxic fire-extinguishing
composition that needs to be released from the circuit 152-153 into
sections B, C and D, a final concentration of 13% to 15% oxygen
should be used in the fire-suppressive atmosphere where it should
be released. This corresponds to an altitude between 2700 and 3800
meters, which is still suitable for human breathing. This hypoxic
environment will instantly suppress any fire: This includes
chemical fires, electrical fires, fires induced by inflammable
liquids and fires from gas detonations. In addition, this
environment will instantly suppress a fire from an explosion. This
provides significant protection against a terrorist attack.
[0179] Nozzles 154 are equipped with special silencers to reduce
the noise resulting from the high-pressure gas release. To alarm
people both inside and outside the tunnel, it is also recommended
that air sirens be attached to the silencers, In addition, as the
oxygen content drops below Hypoxic Threshold, the combustion
engines of the trapped automobiles will become inoperable.
Consequently, there will be sufficient breathable air for many
hours.
[0180] Gas release from the nozzles 154 is initiated by a signal
from an automated system of fire detectors 159. It is recommended
that the volume of hypoxic air in the system 152-153 be sufficient
to fill the entire tunnel If this is not feasible, then the volume
should be great enough to fill the affected section and those
adjacent to it.
[0181] In some applications the pipe 152 can be kept at standard
pressure, thereby reducing its weight. This can be accomplished by
keeping the high-pressure hypoxic air strictly in the vessel 153.
It is then released into the pipe 152 in case of fire.
Consequently, a lighter and less expensive discharge mechanism at
nozzles 154 can be used. However, this requires the installation of
a computerized fire detection and gas release system that
automatically opens the release valve from the vessel 153 and feeds
the hypoxic air into the pipe 152, which is then released through
the nozzle 154 into the required sections.
[0182] If a fire breaks inside the tunnel 151 then localizing drop
curtains 155 would be released throughout the entire tunnel
(preferably every 50 to 100 meters). This will establish breathable
fire-suppressive hypoxic environment throughout the tunnel and
prevent any ventilation. In addition, accidents will be avoided as
the hypoxic environment prevents combustion in automobile
engines.
[0183] After the appropriate personnel declare the tunnel safe, the
discharge system will be closed and the curtains 155 will be
retracted into the curtain holders 156. The ventilation system of
the tunnel 151 will then be reopened, bringing in fresh air.
[0184] The oxygen content inside the tunnel will rapidly increase
to 20.9% (the normal ambient concentration at any altitude),
allowing combustion engines to resume normal operations.
[0185] Pressure monitoring transducers installed at the vessel 153
will turn on the hypoxic generator 157 and the compressor block 158
in case if the storage pressure drops, which may occur during
maintenance or fire emergency. This automatic refill ensures that
the system will always be ready to suppress a fire.
[0186] The Hypoxic generator 157 intakes ambient air from the
outside atmosphere and extract from it a part of oxygen. It then
directs the oxygen-depleted air with O2 content below 15% to the
compressor block 158. Once there it is compressed to a barometric
pressure of approximately 200 bar and then delivered into the
vessel or storage container 153, communicating directly (or through
a release valve) with the pipe 152.
[0187] As previously stated, curtains should be made from synthetic
material. They should be soft, transparent and fully inflatable.
They should have long vertical flaps, which overlap each other
horizontally (as shown on FIG. 16).
[0188] These specifications insure the easy passage of vehicles
through the curtains 155, as their transparent nature will not
obstruct a driver's view. They will provide sufficient
sector-separation, even if a truck stops directly beneath them.
Similar curtains have been successfully used by Hypoxico Inc.'s
Hypoxic Room System to separate the hypoxic environment from the
outside atmosphere.
[0189] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical tunnel
151 , focusing on the preferred embodiment of the curtain
deployment system.
[0190] The curtain 155 is folded inside the curtain holder 156. A
signal from a smoke/fire detection system initiates a high-pressure
or pyrotechnic cartridge 161, which results in the release of gas.
This causes the curtain 155 to inflate. The inflating curtain 155
pushes open the cover 162 of the curtain holder 156 and drops down
to the pavement. Separate cartridges 161 may be installed above
each traffic line.
[0191] Additional separating segments 163 are installed at both
sides of the curtain, above and under the pavement, allowing
communication cables and pipes to pass through. Segments 163 are
installed only at places where curtains 155 are installed. This
combination provides a substantial air obstruction between
separated sections, preventing natural ventilation. However, the
curtains 155 do not prevent hypoxic air released by the FirePASS to
pass through them. Vertical segments 163 should be made from a soft
plastic material in order to prevent damage to vehicles.
[0192] Electronic switches, thermal/smoke detectors, valves and
monitors that are installed inside the tunnel will initiate the
release of the hypoxic agent. These components are widely available
so they will not be described further. Various models of hypoxic
generators 157 are offered solely by Hypoxico Inc. of New York.
Various oxygen extraction devices can be used for this application
including but not limited to: pressure-swing absorbers, cryogenic
air liquefiers with centrifugal separators, membrane separators,
and units using electric current swing adsorption technologies.
Multiple stage compressors 158 that compress air up to 200 bar or
higher are also available from numerous manufacturers throughout
the world.
[0193] In certain cases, calculated amounts of nitrogen can be used
to fill the high-pressure system. This will reduce the size, and
weight of the system, but will require additional safety and
monitoring equipment. When released, the exact amount of nitrogen
would mix with internal air providing hypoxic environment with
oxygen content of 15%, or lower, if needed.
[0194] FIG. 17 presents a schematic view of a cost-effective Tunnel
FirePASS for electric powered trains and other vehicles that do not
use combustion engines. This embodiment allows the inside of the
tunnel 171 to be maintained in a fire preventive environment, at or
below the Hypoxic Threshold. However, this embodiment is not
suitable for automobile tunnels, as combustion engines will not
operate in such hypoxic environment.
[0195] The tunnel 171 is equipped with two separating doors 172 in
the closed position, one on each end. When a train approaches the
tunnel 171, the first door 172 opens, allowing the train to pass,
and closes thereafter. As the train approaches the end of the
tunnel, the second door opens, allowing the train to exit. One or
more hypoxic generators 173 that have been installed outside the
tunnel supply hypoxic air to the interior of the tunnel 171.
Hypoxic air with an oxygen content between 14 and 15% is created by
the generator and then delivered inside the tunnel 171 through
piping 174 and nozzles 175. This maintains a constant
fire-preventive environment in the tunnel and transmits it inside
the train, since its interior becomes ventilated with the hypoxic
air.
[0196] The doors 172 can be made in different shapes, e.g. a slide,
swing or folding doors being opened vertically or horizontally.
Such doors are available by numerous manufacturers. Doors should be
installed approximately 10 to 20 meters inside the tunnel to
prevent them from being blocked by snow or ice. The electric
contact cable 176 can be interrupted at the doors 172 or other
joints and obstacles.
[0197] FIG. 18 shows a frontal view of the tunnel's entry with a
closed door 172.
[0198] FIG. 19 presents a schematic view of a ski train tunnel 171
similar to the one in Kaprun, Austria (where 159 people died in
fire in November of 2000). With a length of 3.3 km, this
3.6-meter-diameter tunnel has an average gradient of 39.degree..
This caused a "chimney effect" which sucked air from the bottom of
the tunnel, thereby fanning the flames.
[0199] Doors 192 will prevent such a draft, keeping the
fire-preventive environment inside the tunnel 191. Through a pipe
194 and evenly distributed (every 50 meters) discharge nozzles 195,
a hypoxic generator 193 will provide the tunnel with the breathable
fire-extinguishing composition at 15-16% oxygen content. Automatic
doors 192 open when the train approaches, similar to doors 172 in
the previous embodiment.
[0200] In addition, the oxygen-enriched fraction produced during
the extraction process can be forwarded to wastewater treatment
plants, fisheries, metallurgy plants, paper bleaching and food
processing plants, and other businesses, providing great benefit to
the local economy.
[0201] FIG. 20 shows a schematic view of an On-Board FirePASS
system for passenger trains, buses, subway cars and other passenger
vehicles.
[0202] This embodiment presents the installation of a fire
suppression system inside a railroad passenger car 201. A
high-pressure storage container 202 filled with the hypoxic fire
suppression agent is mounted under the ceiling or on the roof of
the car 201. A container 202 is equipped with a discharge valve
connected to distribution piping 203. Hypoxic agent is then
discharged through discharge nozzles 204.
[0203] When fire is detected, a burst disc discharge valve (not
shown) will be initiated by an electro-explosive initiator. Burst
disc discharge valves and electro-explosive initiators are
available from Kidde-Fenwal Inc. in the U.S.A. Suitable containers,
piping and nozzles are also available from numerous
manufacturers.
[0204] Hypoxic fire suppression agent with oxygen content below the
Hypoxic Threshold is stored in container 202 under a barometric
pressure of approximately 100 bar. Much lower oxygen concentrations
can be used (from 0.01 to 10% O2) since it is easy to calculate the
volume of the fire agent that is necessary upon release in order to
create a breathable fire-suppressive environment at Hypoxic
Threshold. This lower oxygen content allows to reduce both the
volume and weight of the high-pressure storage container 202.
[0205] For instance: in order to achieve fire-suppression at an
oxygen concentration of 16%, a car or bus interior with a volume of
200 m3 would require approximately 75 m3 of a 2% oxygen hypoxic gas
mixture. At 100 atm pressure it would require only 700-liter
storage container or seven 100-liter containers. The latter
container would be substantially easier to install in a car 201.
Pure nitrogen can be used as well, as long as it is released
through multiple nozzles for better distribution. In this case, the
oxygen content in the interior of the car must remain between 12%
and 16%. This would require only 60 m3 of nitrogen. This can be
stored in 600-liter container at 100 atm (or 300 liter container at
200 atm pressure).
[0206] All nozzles must be equipped with silencers, to reduce the
noise that is created by the release of high-pressure gas.
[0207] The On-Board FirePASS can be installed on buses, ferries,
funiculars and other passenger vehicles. Personal automobile
fire-suppression systems can also be built using the same
solution.
[0208] Successfully suppressing a fire on board an in-flight
aircraft is extremely difficult, as the majority of theses fires
are caused by electrical defects inside the aircraft.
[0209] In order to save on weight, an airplane's construction is
not strong enough to be pressurized at sea level. Consequently, all
passenger aircraft are pressurized at altitudes ranging from 2 to 3
km. This reduces the pressure differential between the internal and
external atmosphere while the plane is in flight. As a result of
this the plane's internal atmosphere has a lower partial pressure
of oxygen. However, the internal atmosphere still has an oxygen
content of 20.94%. Therefore, to achieve a fire preventative state
(Hypoxic Threshold) an atmosphere corresponding to an altitude of
approximately 4 km would have to be created. This would be too
uncomfortable for most passengers. This unfortunate condition
restricts the use of the FirePASS system in the preventive mode in
current passenger airplanes.
[0210] FIG. 21 shows the implementation of the FirePASS technology
into the ventilation system of a passenger airliner 211. All such
airplanes depend on the outside atmosphere for fresh air. This
requires a complicated air-intake system that will not be described
here. A ventilation system with distribution piping 212 and nozzles
213 provides a normal mixture of recycled air (along with a small
amount of fresh air). The piping 212 communicates with a
high-pressure storage container 214 that is filled up with hypoxic
fire-suppressive agent. The container 214 is equipped with a
release valve, which is initiated by an electro-explosive device
described in the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 20.
[0211] In case of fire, the on-board fire/smoke detection system
provides a signal that initiates the actuation of the burst disc
valve by an electro-explosive device. Hypoxic fire suppression
agent is released into the ventilation system and is evenly
distributed throughout the plane. The upper portion of FIG. 21
shows the movement of hypoxic air throughout the plane. The amount
of the hypoxic agent that is released must provide a hypoxic
threshold throughout the entire airplane. The signal from the
fire/smoke detection system will also close the intake valves that
allow fresh air to enter the plane. A storage container (or
multiple containers 214) containing hypoxic agent at a barometric
pressure at approximately 50 bar should be equipped with a gradual
release valve and silencer.
[0212] Excessive internal atmosphere is released from the airplane
through a pressure-sensitive relief valve 215 that is initiated by
pressure increase inside the aircraft. This will provide sufficient
air change inside the aircraft, removing smoke or toxic fumes from
the fire source. The atmosphere aboard the aircraft will now be at
the Hypoxic Threshold and will be suitable for breathing for a
limited period of time, even for the sick and elderly. This limited
breathing time will be sufficient, as a fire will be suppressed in
a matter of seconds. However, if exposure to the hypoxic
environment must be prolonged, the simultaneous release of oxygen
masks will allow passengers to remain comfortable. In order to
counterbalance the effect of hypoxia human body a necessary amount
of carbon dioxide can be added to the hypoxic fire agent that being
released will create a breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere with
4%-5% of carbon dioxide. This will allow safely maintaining such
atmosphere for hours without any discomfort or risk for passengers'
health. The effect of supplementary carbon dioxide is explained
further in FIG. 33 and 34.
[0213] This method of fire suppression will immediately squelch any
fire. Even smoke that may be produced by residual glowing will be
eliminated. Consequently, the safety of the people aboard the
aircraft will be guaranteed.
[0214] FIG. 22 presents the FirePASS system aboard the next
generation of airplanes that will fly above Earth's atmosphere
(including spaceships). These vehicles, which are similar to NASA's
Space Shuttle, do not depend on the intake of fresh air, as they
are equipped with autonomous air-regeneration systems.
Consequently, these vehicles are pressurized at sea level.
[0215] For decades, researchers from NASA (along with other space
agencies) have been trying to find a human-friendly solution to
suppress fires on board space vehicles (and space stations). The
most advanced fire-suppression technology currently available uses
carbon dioxide as the fire-suppressant. The advantage of using
carbon dioxide is that it can easily be removed from the enclosed
atmosphere by absorbers utilized in life-support systems. However,
the main drawback of carbon dioxide is that upon its release, the
atmosphere becomes non-breathable.
[0216] The implementation of the FirePASS system on such an
aircraft (or space shuttle 221) requires the initial establishment
and maintenance of the hypoxic threshold in the atmosphere on board
of the vehicle. On the ground the vehicle 221 has been ventilated
through with hypoxic air supplied by the mobile FirePASS generator
222. Passengers can board the vehicle at the same time through an
antechamber-type gate.
[0217] Upon the completion of full air exchange, the atmosphere
will be at the Hypoxic Threshold. The door of the vehicle 221 can
now be closed and the cabin can be pressurized. The internal
atmosphere will now be recycled by an autonomous air-regeneration
system 223. This system 223 contains a special chemical absorber (a
complex composition of lithium and potassium super oxides) that
absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. The control system is
set to maintain oxygen content at the desired level (15-16%
recommended).One of the key benefits of the FirePASS technology is
the ease in which it can be installed in vehicles of this nature,
as no hardware modifications will be necessary.
[0218] Other inert gases such as argon and xenon, etc. (or mixtures
thereof) can also be used in as fire-extinguishing ballast.
However, the hypoxic threshold will be slightly different for each
gas mixture.
[0219] Future generations of engines for aircraft and most other
vehicles will consume oxygen extracted from atmospheric air, which
leaves large amounts of hypoxic air that can be used for
ventilation of the vehicle's interior. A cryogenic air separation
device can liquefy atmospheric air and extract oxygen in a
centrifuge. Remaining nitrogen-enriched fraction can be warmed up
to a desired temperature in a cooling system of an engine and
provided for ventilation of the aircraft or vehicle interior. Such
hypoxic air composition with oxygen content of approximately 16%
will provide a healthy, comfortable environment with 100%
protection against fire.
[0220] The same fire-preventive composition is suitable for all
hermetic objects including space stations, interplanetary colonies,
and underwater/underground facilities and vehicles. In the future,
most of buildings will contain an artificial atmosphere that can be
protected against fire by establishing a hypoxic environment with
oxygen content below 16.8%. Such building can use similar cryogenic
oxygen-extraction system for both, producing artificial fire
retarding atmosphere and generating oxygen for its own energy
system.
[0221] FIG. 23 shows a hermetic object with an artificial
atmosphere. The on board life support system (not shown)
incorporates the autonomous air-regeneration system 231,
maintaining a healthy comfortable environment at the Hypoxic
Threshold.
[0222] The regeneration block 232 collects expired air through air
intakes 233 and piping 234. The equipment on this block 232 removes
a portion of the water and sends it to the water regeneration block
of the main life-support system. Dehumidified air is sent into the
block's regenerative absorber 232 where excessive carbon dioxide is
absorbed. In addition, an appropriate amount of oxygen is added,
thereby insuring that the internal atmosphere is maintained at the
Hypoxic Threshold. A computerized control unit 235 maintains the
temperature, the humidity, and the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in
the air-supply system 237. Nozzles 238 are distributed evenly
throughout the enclosed space, or in each enclosed compartment.
Supplemental oxygen (and nitrogen, if needed) is stored in
containers 239. However, once the inert ballast of nitrogen is
introduced into the internal atmosphere, it will remain there
without needing further regeneration. This ballast will
automatically prevent oxygen content from rising above the initial
settings, providing an additional safety in a case of failure of
the computerized control equipment.
[0223] The same breathable fire-preventive composition with can be
used in submarines, underground and underwater facilities, space
and interplanetary stations.
[0224] These environments have one thing in common: they cannot
rely on the outside atmosphere for ventilation or air exchange.
Fires in such environments are extremely dangerous and difficult to
suppress. Oxygen is typically generated through chemical,
biological or electrolytic means. In a modern spaceship (or space
station) oxygen must be stored onboard the vehicle prior to
liftoff.
[0225] If the maintenance of a constant hypoxic environment (fire
preventive mode) is not feasible, then the system can be maintained
in its fire-suppression mode. It can then be introduced when
required. Depending on the size of the environment, the vehicle can
be divided into fire-suppression zones. Localization can be
achieved by separating different sectors of the environment with
inflatable air curtains, hermetic doors or hatches. In case of fire
the necessary amount of the hypoxic fire suppression agent will be
introduced into the localized sector, instantly creating a hypoxic
environment under the Hypoxic Threshold.
[0226] FIG. 24 shows the implementation of the FirePASS technology
into the autonomous air-regenerative system of a military vehicle.
The tank 241 has a hermetically sealed environment with an internal
breathable atmosphere under the hypoxic threshold. The working
principle of this system is identical to the one that was described
in the previous embodiment (FIG. 23).
[0227] The air-regeneration system 242 employs a chemical absorbent
that adsorbs carbon dioxide and releases the appropriate amount of
oxygen. This maintains the internal atmosphere of the vehicle below
the Hypoxic Threshold (preferably from 12 to 13%). Military
personnel can easily adapt to this environments by sleeping in a
Hypoxic Room System (or Hypoxic Tent System) manufactured by
Hypoxico Inc.
[0228] The same concept applies to military aircraft, submarines
and other vehicles. One of the key advantages of employing a
hypoxic, fire-extinguishing composition in military vehicles is
that it provides a fire-safe internal environment for the soldier,
even if the vehicle is penetrated by ammunition.
[0229] Hypoxic fire-prevention compositions and methods employing
FirePASS technology guarantee that a fire will not get started
under any circumstances.
[0230] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a space station 251 employing
breathable hypoxic fire-preventive composition as its permanent
internal atmosphere. The air-regeneration system 252 continuously
collects expired air from the station's inhabitants. It then
provides a comfortable fire-preventive atmosphere with oxygen
content at or below the Hypoxic Threshold (15% level recommended).
The working principle of this system is shown schematically in FIG.
23.
[0231] The greatest advantage to implementing a breathable,
fire-preventive composition into a hermetic, human-occupied
environment is its ability to automatically maintain the Hypoxic
Threshold. Once introduced, the inert nitrogen gas from the hypoxic
composition will always be present in such artificial atmosphere in
its original concentration--no refill or regeneration will be
required. It cannot be consumed by the inhabitants or adsorbed by
an air-regeneration system. This factor automatically maintains the
Hypoxic Threshold (or a lower level of oxygen in a breathable
range) in a hermetic artificial atmosphere being maintained at
constant barometric pressure.
[0232] FIG. 26 presents a schematic view of a marine vessel 261
such as a tanker, a cargo ship, a cruise ship or a military vessel.
A ship cannot be completely protected by a fire-preventive
atmosphere, as some rooms must be frequently ventilated with
normoxic air. Consequently, the Marine FirePASS must be installed
in dual mode. The Fire Pass (operating in its suppression mode) can
protect rooms that are frequently opened and/or ventilated. The
following is a brief list of the appropriate operating mode of
operation in a given area:
[0233] fire-suppression circuit (e.g. machine and upper deck
personnel rooms)
[0234] fire-prevention circuit (e.g. liquid or dry cargo area,
arsenal, computer center and hardware storage rooms on board of a
military vessel)
[0235] The Marine FirePASS consists of a hypoxic generator 262 that
takes in ambient air, and supplies the breathable hypoxic
fire-preventive composition through the fire-prevention circuit
263. Discharge nozzles 264 are located in each cargo or military
hardware compartment. The system constantly maintains a
fire-preventive atmosphere through the continuous supply of air
with oxygen content below the Hypoxic Threshold. Excessive air
exits through simple ventilation openings or pressure equalization
valves (not shown).
[0236] The fire-suppression circuit of the Marine FirePASS consists
of a high-pressure container 265, a compressor 266 and distribution
piping 267. Nozzles 268 are located in each room, plus any
additional areas covered by the circuit.
[0237] The working principle of the Marine FirePASS is shown
schematically on FIG. 27. The generator 262 takes in ambient air,
extracts oxygen, and then supplies the oxygen-depleted fraction to
the fire-preventive circuit 271. The covered area 272 is constantly
ventilated with fresh hypoxic air that exits the protected
environment 272 through a ventilation hole 273.
[0238] The fire-suppressive composition is maintained under high
pressure by a compressor 266 in a storage container 265. In case of
fire, an electro-explosive initiator described earlier actuates a
release valve 274. This causes the hypoxic fire-suppressive
composition from the container 265 to replace (or dilute) the
atmosphere in the fire-suppression circuit area 275. Consequently,
a breathable fire-suppressive atmosphere with an oxygen content
under the Hypoxic Threshold (preferably between 10% and 14%) is
established throughout the circuit.
[0239] Advanced Aircraft Fire Suppression System
[0240] The Aircraft Fire Suppression System (AFSS) described in the
rest of this document represents a cost-effective, highly reliable
and practical solution to the fire suppression problem on board any
aircraft, especially present-day passenger airplanes that require
pressurization at 2-3 km altitude, which represents a modification
of the embodiment shown earlier on FIG. 21.
[0241] FIG. 28 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a
passenger aircraft cabin 281 having AFSS (Aircraft Fire Suppression
System) gas agent storage container 282 installed in the upper body
lobe behind the ceiling.
[0242] Some aircraft designs do not provide enough space for
installing container 282 in the upper body lobe. In such cases
container 282 may be installed in the lower body lobe or anywhere
in the aircraft body. Container 282 may have any form and
appearance--it may be installed in multiple quantities as
insulation panels under the aircraft's skin. For an existing
aircraft, in order to reduce the cost of the conversion, it can be
installed in one of the standard airfreight containers that fit in
the aircraft's cargo bay.
[0243] The most preferred embodiment of the container 282 consists
of a light rigid plastic, metal or composite skin 283 containing
inside a soft inflatable gas storage bag 284 made from a thin and
lightweight synthetic or composite material. During normal aircraft
operation storage bag 284 is inflated and contains under minor
pressure a breathable fire suppressive agent consisting of hypoxic
(oxygen-depleted) air with an increased carbon dioxide content.
Using more accurate terminology, the AFSS fire suppression agent
consists of a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide with
possible addition of other atmospheric gases, wherein nitrogen can
be replaced in part or completely with an other inert gas or gas
mixture.
[0244] The oxygen content in the breathable hypoxic
fire-suppression atmosphere of the pressure cabin after the fire
suppression agent being released must be below Hypoxic Threshold of
16.8%, and preferably in the range from 14%-16% (depending on the
pressurization level inside aircraft) or lower for some special
cases described further below. The carbon dioxide content in this
internal atmosphere should be approximately 4-5%. The rest of the
gas mixture (79%-82%) consists of nitrogen and other atmospheric
gases.
[0245] FIG. 29 illustrates schematically the working principle of
the AFSS that is tied directly to smoke or thermal detectors 285
distributed throughout the pressure cabin 281. A signal from a
detector 285 opens a local automatic release valve 286 (or all at
once, if desired) and is also transmitted to the main control
panel, which automatically turns on blower 287 that operates the
AFSS. In order to increase reliability of the system, a signal from
any detector 285 should open all release valves 286. However, in
some cases, a detector 285 that detects fire or smoke first may
open only a local valve or group of valves 286.
[0246] The opening of release valves 286 results in the rapid
introduction of the hypoxic fire suppression agent from storage bag
284 into pressure cabin 281. At the same moment a high efficiency
blower 287 sucks up air contaminated with smoke from the cabin
through the air-collecting system 289 and pressurizes it in
container 282 deflating bag 284 completely and forcing all amount
of the hypoxic fire agent out of the bag 284 and into cabin 281,
via conduit 288 and release valves 286.
[0247] As an option, in order to remove traces of smoke and other
pyrolysis products from the cabin air, the air-collecting system
289 operated by blower 287 may continue to operate even after bag
284 is completely deflated. In this case the pressure inside
container 282 will rise until a certain value controlled by an
optional relief valve (not shown here) releasing excessive gas
mixture into outside atmosphere.
[0248] During normal aircraft operations, container 282
communicates with pressure cabin 281 through the blower 287, which
allows equalizng its pressure during a flight.
[0249] It is recommended that hypoxic agent should be released into
all cabin accommodation simultaneously. However, in order to reduce
the size of container 282, the release of hypoxic fire agent can be
limited to the space in which smoke or fire was detected. Given
AFSS's reaction time of less than one second, this should be more
than sufficient to suppress a localized fire. If needed, pressure
cabin 281 can be also separated into different sections by dividing
curtains as described in embodiments shown on FIG. 11, 15 and
16.
[0250] Discharge nozzles 286 are equipped each with a release valve
having an electrical or electro-explosive initiator. Manual
operation is also possible in case of power failure--a crewmember
can pull open the nearest release valve, if needed. Suitable
solenoid or burst disk-type valves, initiators and detectors are
available from a number of fire equipment suppliers.
[0251] Relief valve 290, generally installed in an aircraft,
provides a guarantee that the barometric pressure inside cabin 281
will be maintained within safety limits during release of the
hypoxic fire-extinguishing agent. It is necessary to shut down the
ventilation system (not shown here due to its complexity) of the
cabin 11 when AFSS is initiated. The ventilation system can be
turned on again after 5-10 minutes, which is more than enough to
detect the suppressed fire source and prevent it from
reigniting.
[0252] While FIG. 29 shows the AFSS at the beginning of the
deployment, the FIG. 30 shows the same embodiment close to the end,
when gas storage bag 284 is almost deflated and the fire
extinguished.
[0253] In order to simplify the AFSS, the local discharge nozzle
valves 286 may be replaced just by one main valve in the upper
portion of the delivery piping 288 as shown on FIG. 31 and 32.
[0254] The embodiment presented on FIG. 31 and 32 shows the same
solution, but using two inflatable bags 302 and 303 installed in a
non-airtight container or frame 304 that is only needed in order to
hold both bags in place. When AFSS is deployed, the blower 307
pumps air from the cabin 301 inside bag 303 that is initially
deflated. While inflating, the bag 303 applies pressure on bag 302
that already starts discharging the hypoxic fire-suppressive agent
through valve 311 and nozzles 306. Valve 311 opens by a signal from
fire/smoke detectors 305 or manually by a crewmember. Inflating bag
303 will completely deflate bag 302 allowing all the gas out of the
system. Pressure relief valve 310 will guarantee desired pressure
in cabin 301.
[0255] The breathable fire-suppressive agent should be available on
board of the aircraft in an amount sufficient for a complete air
exchange in the cabin, if possible. The initial oxygen content in
the fire agent and its storage pressure in bag 14 may vary. This
depends on the storage space availability on board of aircraft. In
any case these parameters are calculated in such a way that when
the fire agent is released, it will provide a fire-suppressive
atmosphere on board with an oxygen content of about 15%. The gas
storage pressure may vary from the standard atmospheric up to 2-3
bar or even higher.
[0256] Once the AFSS is deployed, the cabin's fresh air supply
system must be automatically shut down. It is also recommended not
to use it during the remainder of the flight. This will allow
retaining the fire-extinguishing atmosphere in case the fire
resumes, which usually happens during electrical incidents. Fresh
air may be added in exact controlled amounts in order to keep the
oxygen content in the cabin atmosphere between 15% and 16%
[0257] The hypoxic fire-extinguishing agent may be generated in
flight, if needed, by an on-board hypoxic generator manufactured by
Hypoxico Inc., or a cryogenic air separation device that can
liquefy atmospheric air and extract oxygen in a centrifuge.
Aircraft engines of the future that can provide cleaner combustion
process can consume the extracted oxygen. Ground service vehicle
222 shown on FIG. 22 can refill the system. This vehicle is
equipped with a hypoxic generator and cylinders with stored carbon
dioxide. The working principle of the hypoxic generator is
explained entirely earlier in this document and in the previous
patent applications provided above. Vehicle 222 provides ground
service on AFSS and, if needed, refilling of the system with
breathable fire-extinguishing composition. This composition
consists of a mixture of hypoxic air gases generated at site from
ambient air and carbon dioxide added to the mixture. Hypoxic
generator utilizes the molecular-sieve adsorption technology that
allows extracting a precise part of oxygen from ambient air and
providing oxygen-depleted air with exact oxygen content. The
concentration of oxygen in the fire-extinguishing composition may
vary from 16% down to 1% or even lower, and is always predetermined
so that when released, the atmosphere in the aircraft's cabin will
contain approximately 15% of oxygen (may be lower for military
vehicles).
[0258] Hypoxic atmosphere with a 15% oxygen content at barometric
pressure of 2.5 km is absolutely safe for general public (even
without supplemental oxygen) for the time needed to localize and
control the fire source (at least 15 minutes) or for the aircraft
to descend to a lower altitude, which will increase barometric
pressure on board and counterbalance effect of hypoxia.
[0259] However, the addition of only 4-5% of carbon dioxide to the
hypoxic gas mixture will allow retaining a fire-suppressive hypoxic
atmosphere for hours without negative side effects on passengers'
health.
[0260] The diagram presented on FIG. 33 illustrates the variance of
hemoglobin's oxygen saturation with as it relates to the drop in
oxygen content in inspired air from ambient 20.9% to 10% under the
following two conditions:
[0261] a) At ambient atmospheric carbon dioxide content of 0.035%
and
[0262] b) At increased carbon dioxide content of 4%
[0263] This illustration is confirmed by the results of an
extensive research "CO2-O2 Interactions In Extention Of Tolerance
To Acute Hypoxia" conducted for NASA in 1995 by University of
Pennsylvania Medical Center (Lambertsen, C. J.)
[0264] Curve R illustrates a drop in arterial oxyhemoglobin
saturation from 98% to the level of about 70% during exposure to
10% O2 in the inspired air having ambient atmospheric carbon
dioxide content.
[0265] Curve S represents physiological response to restored
normocapnia in hypoxia when 4% CO2 was added to the inspired
hypoxic gas mixture having 10% O2. It clearly shows the
effectiveness of carbon-dioxide-induced acute physiologic
adaptation to hypoxia.
[0266] According to the NASA research report: " . . . carbon
dioxide can increase brain blood flow and oxygenation by dilating
brain blood vessels. This increased blood (oxygen) flow provides an
acute, beneficial adaptation to otherwise intolerable degrees of
hypoxia".
[0267] "In hypoxic exposures an increase in arterial carbon dioxide
pressure can sustain brain oxygenation and mental performance."
[0268] All this confirms that an addition of 4-5% CO2 to the
breathable hypoxic fire-extinguishing agent can provide guarantee
that the use of such agent onboard of an aircraft is absolutely
safe. Moreover, a number of researchers confirm that exposure to
such hypercapnia level continuing for many days does not provide
any harm to the human organism.
[0269] FIG. 34 shows a diagram representing an average
physiological response to the exposure to the invented breathable
hypoxic fire-suppressive composition at an altitude of 2.5 km,
which corresponds to the barometric pressure on board a modem
passenger aircraft due to its pressurization at this altitude.
[0270] During flight, an average oxygen saturation of hemoglobin is
about 96%. After about 20 minutes following the release of the
breathable hypoxic fire-suppressive gas mixture, the arterial
oxyhemoglobin saturation may drop on average to 93%, as shown by
curve Q on the diagram, provided that the gas mixture contains
about 15% O2 and 4% CO2. Such an insignificant drop in
oxyhemoglobin saturation can be observed during a moderate exercise
at sea level, which is absolutely safe.
[0271] The AFSS allows maintaining hypoxic fire-retarding
environment during the rest of the flight, if needed, by simply
keeping the fresh-air-intake and ventilation systems of the
pressure cabin off. Fresh air can be added automatically in limited
amounts in order to maintain oxygen content inside the aircraft
cabin at a level of about 16%. Such automatic system can be easily
built by implementing an oxygen transducer.
[0272] At the present time new composite materials have allowed
stronger and lighter aircraft to be designed without the need for
reducing interior atmospheric pressure by pressurizing at higher
altitudes. Such airplanes will provide a standard atmospheric
pressure on board during the flight and can also handle a slight
increase in internal pressure. A deployment of the AFSS on board of
such aircraft will induce an average drop in arterial oxyhemoglobin
from 98% to about 95%, which would be hardly noticeable by a
passenger.
[0273] The invented Hypoxic FirePASS, AFSS and breathable hypoxic
fire-extinguishing compositions can be employed in any enclosed
human occupied space, including but not limited to: rooms for data
processing, telecommunication switches, process control and
Internet servers, banks/financial institutions, museums, archives,
libraries and art collections, military and marine facilities,
passenger/military aircraft, space vehicles/stations,
underground/underwater facilities; marine vessels; facilities
operating with inflammable/explosive materials, nuclear power
plants, transportation tunnels and vehicles, apartment and office
complexes, hospitals, private homes and other isolated
human-occupied
[0274] References
[0275] Hochachka P. W. Mechanism and evolution of hypoxia-tolerance
in humans. The Journal of Exp. Biol. 201. 1243-1254. 1998
[0276] Peacock A. J. "Oxygen at high altitude" British Medical
Journal. 317: 1063-1066. (1998) Lambertsen, C. J. "CO2-O2
Interactions in extension of tolerance to acute hypoxia", NASA
report No. 4-20-95.
* * * * *
References